North Korea says it successfully test-fired two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles. The test marks the first reported launch of missiles from underwater by North Korea in three years.
“The Missile Administration of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea test-fired two kinds of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea of Korea on October 14,” North Korean state media reported on Thursday. “The test-fire aimed to examine the current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems and contributed to getting the Navy skilled in performing its strategic missions and showcasing high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK.”
The missile test comes during a period of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Over the past several months, the US has participated in two major rounds of military exercises in the region, including bilateral drills with South Korea and trilateral exercises involving Japan.
Adding to tensions is a landmine explosion south of the border that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul says that North Korea planted the mine on the south side of the DMZ, but Pyongyang denies the allegation.
North Korea has also accused the US of upsetting regional stability by assisting South Korea and Japan in building nuclear-powered attack submarines. “The military moves of Japan’s present right-wing conservative regime, which put the successive Japanese regimes into the shade, have almost reached the dangerous level,” Pak Ju Won, an international security analyst wrote in an article published by North Korean state media. “Against this backdrop, the possession of a nuclear-powered submarine is being openly debated in the archipelago, giving rise to a concern among the international community.”
He added, “It is the true intention of the Japanese neo-militarist force to formalize the possession of nuclear-powered submarines and secure a stepping-stone to the possession of nuclear weapons in the long-run.”
Amid rising tensions, President Donald Trump is suggesting a meeting with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang has maintained that Kim will not meet with an American leader until Washington drops its demand that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons.
Under Trump, the US has maintained that the Korean Peninsula must be a nuclear-free region. Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a joint statement with South Korea and Japan calling for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.
“Reaffirmed their resolute commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” the statement said.
Kim maintains he is unwilling to give up his nuclear arsenal as the weapons serve as a deterrent to a US regime change operation. Kim has pointed to US attacks on countries without nuclear weapons as justification for maintaining its nuclear deterrent.
