North Korea has conducted a fresh test of two types of strategic cruise missiles launched from underwater platforms, raising renewed attention to its growing naval weapons capabilities.
According to state media reports published on Thursday, the tests took place in waters off the country's eastern coast on October 14. The demonstration marked the first publicly reported underwater missile tests by Pyongyang in nearly three years.
South Korea's military reported that the two missiles were launched using different systems. One was fired from a vertical launch system, while the other was launched through a torpedo tube.
Images released by North Korea indicate that the tests may have involved the Hero Kim Kun Ok, a modified diesel-powered submarine that the country unveiled in 2023. If confirmed, the demonstration would mark the first publicly reported missile launches from the vessel.
Pyongyang said the exercises were designed to evaluate its underwater combat readiness and demonstrate the reliability of its strategic deterrent capabilities.
However, South Korean analysts have cautioned that the submarine's full operational capabilities remain unproven, meaning further assessments are needed to determine how effectively the vessel could perform in actual military operations.
The latest demonstration highlights North Korea's continued efforts to develop its submarine-based weapons systems as regional security concerns persist.