North Korea says it tested submarine-launched cruise missiles, KCNA says - Reuters

North Korea announced that it conducted a test of two types of submarine‑launched cruise missiles in the country’s eastern waters on Wednesday. State media described the missiles as strategic, suggesting they are intended to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though no details were provided about the specific models or payloads.

According to the report, one missile was launched from a vertical launch system while the other was fired from a torpedo tube. Photographs released by the Korean Central News Agency showed a submarine and the missiles being expelled, but the agency did not specify whether an operational submarine or an underwater test platform was used for the launches.

North Korean officials said the tests were aimed at assessing the readiness of its underwater combat systems, improving the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions, and demonstrating the reliability of its nuclear deterrent. The statements framed the exercise as part of a broader effort to verify the navy’s mission capabilities.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it monitored and tracked the launches from pre‑launch through the cruise and terminal phases using a range of assets. The South Korean military did not immediately comment on the implications of the tests, but noted that the launches caused no adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries.

The missile tests follow a recent series of weapons demonstrations by North Korea, including the test of various hypersonic missile systems on September 20 and October 3. Those earlier tests were presented as efforts to advance an arsenal designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan.

Analysts have noted that the submarine‑launched cruise missile tests are part of North Korea’s longer‑term program to develop modern missile submarines, including a nuclear‑powered vessel that the regime intends to arm with nuclear‑capable weapons. However, the country has not yet demonstrated full operational capability for a sea‑based nuclear deterrent.