North Korea says it has test-fired submarine-launched cruise missiles in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). State media reports the launches took place on Wednesday and involved two types of “strategic” cruise missiles, fired from a submarine.
Pyongyang says the tests are meant to verify the Navy’s underwater mission capabilities, reliability, and “war deterrents,” and it adds the launches posed no threat to neighboring countries. Several outlets note the test occurs amid a broader recent tempo of weapons activity, including other missile launches earlier this week.
The reports also place the move in a context of heightened tensions with South Korea. France 24 links the timing to increased friction after a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on September 21 that injured South Korean soldiers, while other outlets focus more on the technical purpose and official framing of the submarine missile tests. Coverage is based on North Korea’s state media accounts, with limited independent verification described by the sources.
