North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles amid rising tensions
North Korea says it has test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles into the East Sea, in a move state media described as a Navy training exercise. The launches were reported on Thursday as taking place on Wednesday, and were said to have been carried out without any adverse impact on neighbouring countries. The tests come amid heightened friction with South Korea following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on September 21.
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According to the report, three South Korean soldiers were injured in the blast in the Seoul-controlled area of the border zone. North Korea said the latest missile testing was intended to examine the current mobilised posture of its underwater combat systems. It also said the exercise demonstrated the high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of its deterrent forces.
The reported launches add to a period of military tension on the Korean peninsula, where both sides have been testing upgraded missile technology in the aftermath of the border incident. North Korea has carried out several missile launches from submarines in recent years, but its sea-based launch capabilities remain unclear. Cruise missiles are generally harder to detect and intercept than ballistic missiles because they fly lower and are jet-propelled.
The timing of the tests is significant because they follow weeks of mounting friction along one of the world's most heavily fortified borders. The Demilitarised Zone remains a central flashpoint in relations between the two Koreas, and incidents there can quickly feed into wider military signalling. In this case, the submarine launch appears designed to project readiness while also framing the activity as routine training.
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The report also highlights the continuing effort by North Korea to develop and display underwater strike capabilities. If proven, submarine-launched missile systems would expand the range and survivability of its arsenal, with implications for regional defence planning. For South Korea and its allies, such tests are closely watched because they can complicate early warning and interception.
What remains unclear is the full technical detail of the missiles and the platform used in the launch. It is also not clear whether the exercise was linked to any broader operational deployment or was limited to a demonstration. Further official reaction from South Korea will be watched for, along with any sign of additional military activity after the border blast.
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