North Korea Tests Two Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles, Raising East Sea Security Concerns

The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today that the country conducted test launches of two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles yesterday, with the missiles fired toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). According to KCNA, the tests did not pose any adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries. The launches are viewed as North Korea’s latest military maneuver and reflect its ongoing advancement in submarine launch system technology.

The two missile types tested by North Korea are speculated by outside observers to be a short-range submarine-launched cruise missile and a medium-range submarine-launched cruise missile, respectively. The former is capable of traveling underwater and executing precise cruise strikes in the target area, while the latter possesses a longer range, enabling it to cover the Japanese mainland and potentially areas beyond. Although North Korean authorities have not disclosed specific model numbers, similar submarine-launched missiles, such as the K-15 and K-4, have been tested multiple times in recent years, indicating that its submarine launch platforms are already highly mature.

This move poses a challenge to regional security. Allies, including Japan, South Korea, and the United States, are concerned that the stealthiness and unpredictability of submarine-launched missiles could undermine existing air defense and missile defense systems. The U.S. Department of Defense has repeatedly warned about the military value of North Korea’s submarine launch technology.