North Korea says it tested cruise missiles designed to be fired from submarines

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea says it has test-fired cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines as it continues to expand its military capabilities during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy with Washington and Seoul.

North Korean state media said Thursday that the military tested two types of such missiles in the country’s eastern waters on Wednesday. The report described the weapons as strategic, implying an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads, but did not specify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.

North Korean state media said the tests were aimed at assessing the readiness of the country’s underwater combat systems, improving the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions and demonstrating the reliability of its nuclear deterrent.

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The South Korean military did not immediately comment on the tests.

The launches extended a recent run in weapons demonstrations, including tests of various hypersonic missile systems on Sept. 20 and Oct. 3 that the North said were aimed at advancing its arsenal of weapons designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan.

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Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business