North Korea fires missile from submarine just before US

KCNA said the launch confirmed the system's accuracy and tested underwater strike operations by submarine units that form part of North Korea's nuclear deterrent.

Image of North Korea's submarine missile launch on Sunday. Photo: KCNA

The missile reportedly flew about 1,500 km and hit a target at sea. Photo: KCNA

The type of submarine used by North Korea in the launch. Photo: KCNA

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the country's military was on high alert and its intelligence agency was working with its US counterpart to analyze specific details of the launch.

On Monday, the South Korean and US militaries are scheduled to begin an 11-day joint exercise, dubbed “Freedom Shield 23,” which will be held on a scale not seen since 2017. The two militaries said the exercise will strengthen their combined defense posture and will include field exercises, including amphibious landings.

North Korea has long bristled at military exercises it sees as rehearsals for invasion, and has conducted a record number of missile tests and military exercises over the past year.

KCNA said the submarine missile launch was aimed at demonstrating North Korea's determination to control the situation, in which "the US and South Korean forces are increasingly showing off their military exercises against the DPRK."

The strategic cruise missiles were fired from the 8.24 Yongung (Hero of August 24) submarine in waters off North Korea's east coast early Sunday, KCNA said, adding that the missiles flew about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) before hitting their targets at sea.

While overseeing a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launch drill earlier Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the military to step up drills to deter and respond to an “actual war” if necessary.

On Sunday, state media reported that Mr. Kim chaired a meeting to discuss and decide on “important, practical measures” to strengthen the country’s war deterrence amid heightened US and South Korean actions.

Huy Hoang (KCNA, Yonhap, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trieu-tien-phong-ten-lua-tu-tau-ngam-ngay-truoc-khi-my--han-tap-tran-post238967.html