Stories
Kim Jong Un Submarine Fires Two Missiles in Sea of Japan
- •North Korea test-fired two strategic cruise missiles from underwater in the Sea of Japan, demonstrating its military might.
- •State agency KCNA reported that the test aimed to check the combat readiness of underwater systems and defense reliability.
- •The launch comes amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea following a recent landmine explosion near the border.
- •Submarine-launched missiles significantly boost military power as the launch location is difficult for adversaries to trace.
Key Questions Answered
The missile tests followed escalated tensions between North and South Korea, which were triggered by a landmine explosion near the border on September 21 that injured three South Korean soldiers in the Seoul-controlled Demilitarized Zone.
According to North Korea's state news agency KCNA, the test aimed to assess the readiness of deployed underwater combat systems, improve naval strategic missions, and prove the reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent against enemy attacks.
Firing missiles from a submerged submarine hiding in the sea makes it significantly harder for adversaries to trace the launch location. Additionally, cruise missiles fly at lower altitudes using jet engines, making them potentially more difficult for radar to detect and intercept.
