A photo posted by North Korea on January 29 shows Pyongyang firing a submarine-launched cruise missile on January 28 (Photo: KCNA).
North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported on January 29 that Kim Jong-un had inspected the test launch of a new strategic cruise missile from a submarine.
Two Pulhwasal-3-31 missiles flew over the eastern sea to hit a target on the island on January 28, KCNA reported, adding that Kim Jong-un had guided the launch.
The missiles flew for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds respectively, but North Korea did not say how far they flew or whether they were launched from above or below the water.
The Pulhwasal-3-31 is a new strategic cruise missile that Pyongyang said it tested for the first time recently.
North Korea’s ability to launch precision missiles from sea remains unclear. Previous tests appear to have been conducted from older ships, including submerged launchers, rather than actual submarines.
Submarine-launched missiles (SLBMs) can be fired from under the ocean, making them very difficult to detect. If North Korea has the ability to fire SLBMs from underwater, it would take Pyongyang's arsenal to the next level.
North Korea said yesterday's test did not affect the security of its neighbor and had nothing to do with the regional situation, KCNA said, adding that Mr Kim "expressed great satisfaction" with the launch.
Pyongyang has accelerated weapons testing in the new year, including test launches of an "underwater nuclear warhead delivery system" and a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile.
Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missile testing is not banned under current United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang.
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