Manila:North Korea claimed on Thursday that it had test-fired two types of strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea on the previous day, potentially marking the first launch from a newly unveiled 3,000-ton-class submarine. This exercise was intended to assess the operational readiness of its underwater combat systems and to enhance the skills of its navy in executing strategic missions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the test was conducted under the supervision of Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, along with Jang Chang-ha, director-general of the Missile Administration, and engineers specialized in underwater weapon systems. The missiles are believed to have been launched from North Korea's first tactical nuclear attack submarine, named Hero Kim Kun Ok, which was introduced in September 2023 as a key component of the country's naval capabilities.
At the submarine's unveiling ceremony, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the urgency of equipping the navy with nuclear weapons. The recent test is the first of its kind since January 2024, when similar missiles were reportedly launched from a different submarine, the 2,000-ton-class 8.24 Yongung.
The absence of Kim Jong-un during this launch is interpreted as a demonstration of the navy's proficiency while mitigating external pressures. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) assured that the launch posed no threat to neighboring nations' security.
In response, South Korea's military confirmed it had tracked the missiles throughout their flight, countering any speculation of oversight. Captain Jang Do-young, a spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the military used various surveillance assets to monitor the activity but did not provide specific details, citing confidentiality agreements with the United States. He did, however, disclose that the missiles were launched using both a vertical launching system and a torpedo launcher.
The North's prominent newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, did not cover the event. Earlier in the week, North Korea conducted tests of tactical ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area, which were said to verify advancements in critical technical elements.