NK confirms ‘successful’ submarine-launched missile test

North Korea has successfully tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile

According to North Korean state media, the country successfully tested a ballistic missile via a submarine, confirming earlier reports made by South Korea.

North Korea’s KCNA news agency stated that the missile had “lots of advanced control guidance technologies”, and was fired from the same vessel that was used in a 2016 test.

The agency did not mention leader Kim Jong-un, suggesting he did not attend the test.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s military reported an apparent weapons test in waters off Japan’s coast.

North Korea has carried out a flurry of missile tests in recent weeks, including of what it said were hypersonic and long-range weapons.

Some of these tests violate strict international sanctions

North Korea is specifically prohibited by the United Nations from testing ballistic missiles as well as nuclear weapons.

The UN considers ballistic missiles to be more threatening than cruise missiles due to the fact that they can carry more powerful payloads, have a longer range and also fly faster.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that one missile had been launched from the port of Sinpo, in the east of North Korea where Pyongyang usually bases its submarines. The missile landed in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

South Korea suspected the missile to have been a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

South Korean media reported that this particular missile was believed to have travelled about 450km at a maximum height of 60km.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has since responded to the launch by NK, calling the latest actions as “very regrettable”.