SEOUL, Oct 15: North Korea has conducted its first underwater-launched missile tests in nearly three years, raising fresh security concerns in South Korea and the United States. The tests were carried out on Wednesday and reportedly involved two types of strategic cruise missiles launched into waters off the country’s eastern coast.
According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests were intended to assess the readiness of the country’s underwater combat systems and demonstrate the reliability of its nuclear deterrent.
The launches come as Pyongyang intensifies its weapons demonstrations, apparently seeking to strengthen its position ahead of any potential resumption of diplomatic talks with Washington.
Although KCNA did not identify the launch platform, photographs released by the agency suggested that North Korea may have used its submarine, Hero Kim Kun Ok, which was unveiled in September 2023. The vessel was presented by Pyongyang as a submarine capable of launching tactical nuclear weapons.
If confirmed, the latest tests would mark the first publicly reported weapons launches from the submarine, indicating progress towards its operational deployment. However, foreign experts have previously questioned its capabilities, suggesting that the vessel could be a modified version of an older diesel-powered submarine.
The submarine is believed to have at least 10 missile launch tubes, in addition to torpedo tubes. Its operational readiness has remained uncertain, with the absence of publicly known weapons tests in recent years raising questions about possible technical challenges.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that it detected the launches. According to its assessment, one missile was fired through a vertical launch tube, while another was launched through a torpedo tube. South Korean officials did not immediately identify the submarine involved.
North Korea has been developing submarine-launched missiles for years. Such weapons are considered particularly concerning because underwater launches can be difficult to detect in advance, potentially complicating missile defence efforts by South Korea and the United States.
Analysts believe the latest tests could indicate that Pyongyang has addressed some technical problems associated with the submarine. Further testing, including launches of ballistic missiles, may take place before the vessel enters active service.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently increased his focus on naval capabilities after years of expanding the country’s ballistic missile programme. In March 2025, North Korea also unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, although its completion timeline remains unclear.
The latest underwater tests follow a series of weapons demonstrations, including hypersonic missile tests conducted on September 20 and October 3. Pyongyang has said these developments are aimed at strengthening its ability to overcome missile defence systems in South Korea and Japan.
The tests also come amid renewed diplomatic tensions with Washington. In August, North Korea rejected US President Donald Trump’s apparent attempt to revive talks, arguing that changes to joint US-South Korean military exercises would not alter what it considers Washington’s hostile policy.
Pyongyang has previously indicated that it could consider returning to negotiations if the United States abandons its hostile policy and drops demands for North Korea’s denuclearisation as a precondition for talks.
Experts believe the submarine-launched missile tests are also intended to strengthen North Korea’s bargaining position in any future negotiations. By expanding its nuclear capabilities from land to sea, Pyongyang appears determined to reinforce its claim that its nuclear arsenal is non-negotiable.
The developments are likely to add to regional security concerns, particularly as North Korea continues to expand its missile technology and pursue more advanced naval weapons systems.
