Key facts
- North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles.
- The launches were intended to assess the navy's combat systems and deterrence capabilities.
- South Korea detected missiles fired from vertical and torpedo tubes.
- The tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries.
North Korea announced on Thursday that it had test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles off its eastern coast. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the launches were intended to inspect the navy's combat systems, strengthen its strategic mission capabilities, and demonstrate deterrence. South Korea's military confirmed tracking the launches, noting that the missiles appeared to have been fired from different types of launch tubes, one vertical and one torpedo tube. The KCNA stated that the tests did not adversely affect the security of neighboring countries. This marks North Korea's first publicly reported submarine-launched cruise missile test since January 28, 2024, when it fired two Pulhwasal-3-31 weapons. The recent tests follow earlier ballistic missile launches by North Korea this month.