North Korea said it test-fired two types of cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines in its eastern waters on Wednesday, according to state media on Thursday.
State media described the weapons as strategic, which implies they could carry nuclear warheads. The report did not say whether they were fired from a submarine or an underwater test platform.
It said the tests were meant to check the readiness of underwater combat systems, improve the Navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions and show the reliability of the country’s nuclear deterrent.
South Korea’s military did not immediately comment.
The launch follows tests of hypersonic missile systems on 20 September and 3 October. North Korea has also held live-fire drills and commissioned a new warship in recent weeks.
Leader Kim Jong Un has rejected offers from the United States and South Korea to resume diplomacy. Talks with Washington broke down in 2019, and Pyongyang has demanded that the US drop its demand for denuclearisation as a precondition.
