North Korea’s cruise missile launches test regional defence as arms race intensifies

North Korea’s apparent use of different launch methods to fire two types of cruise missiles from a tactical nuclear-capable submarine could complicate regional defence, while raising fresh questions about the operational readiness of its growing undersea arsenal, observers have said.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday it had “test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles” off its eastern coast.

The tests “contributed to inspecting the regular mobilisation readiness of underwater combat systems and honing the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions”, KCNA said.

They also demonstrated “the high reliability, dependability and capabilities of the means of war deterrence”, it said, adding that the tests “had no negative impact whatsoever on the security of neighbouring countries”.