North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has announced the successful test-firing of cruise missiles intended for launch from submarines, reflecting the nation’s continued military expansion amid a prolonged diplomatic impasse with the United States and South Korea, reports BritPanorama.
State media indicated that the tests, conducted in the eastern waters of the country, involved two types of missiles aimed at enhancing the military’s capability. Although the report described these missiles as strategic, suggesting a potential for nuclear warheads, it did not clarify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater platform.
The North’s military stated that these tests were meant to evaluate the readiness of its underwater combat systems, bolster the navy’s strategic mission capability, and reaffirm the reliability of its nuclear deterrent. The South Korean military has not yet issued a comment regarding the launches.
This missile test adds to a series of recent military demonstrations by North Korea, including hypersonic missile tests on September 20 and October 3, which were purportedly aimed at enhancing its ability to penetrate missile defenses in South Korea and Japan.
North Korea has persistently pursued the development of various ballistic and cruise missiles that can be launched from underwater. The nation has also claimed advancements in constructing a nuclear-powered submarine, which is expected to carry nuclear-capable missiles. Leader Kim Jong Un is shifting focus to strengthening the navy following a decade-long emphasis on expanding the ballistic missile program.
The prospect of North Korea acquiring a stealthy submarine capable of launching missiles from underwater poses significant regional security concerns, as such launches would be hard to detect beforehand. However, doubts remain regarding North Korea’s capacity to develop such systems, given its status as a heavily sanctioned and impoverished nation.
In recent weeks, North Korea has also conducted live-fire drills and commissioned a new warship, signifying Kim’s ongoing commitment to showcasing his nuclear arsenal while dismissing offers for resuming stalled diplomacy from the U.S. and South Korea.
Kim has notably ceased all diplomatic engagements with South Korea, labeling it a permanent adversary amid a prolonged stalemate in nuclear negotiations with Washington. He has rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to rekindle discussions that collapsed in 2019, demanding the U.S. abandon its “hostile” stance and drop denuclearization prerequisites for any future negotiations.
A continued emphasis on military capabilities underscores the complexities and challenges surrounding North Korea’s regional dynamics, leaving the international community seeking clarity amid escalating tensions.
