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North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile From Submarine, South Says North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile From Submarine, South Says
(about 2 hours later)
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired what was believed to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast on Saturday, according to the South Korean military, which did not say whether the apparent test launch had been a success.SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired what was believed to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast on Saturday, according to the South Korean military, which did not say whether the apparent test launch had been a success.
The test took place at 6:30 p.m. in waters northeast of the port city of Sinpo, South Korea’s Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. North Korea’s naval base at Sinpo is a center for the isolated country’s efforts to develop a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or S.L.B.M., which would add to the range, secrecy and flexibility of its missile systems. The test took place at 6:30 p.m. in waters northeast of the port city of Sinpo, South Korea’s Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. North Korea’s naval base at Sinpo is a center for the isolated country’s efforts to develop a submarine-launched ballistic missile, which would add to the range, secrecy and flexibility of its missile systems.
Last May, North Korea said it had successfully tested such a missile, releasing photos that appeared to show Kim Jong-un, the country’s leader, watching a missile soar out of the water. But some experts questioned the claim, saying that the photos appeared to have been manipulated. In May, North Korea said it had successfully tested such a missile, releasing photos that appeared to show Kim Jong-un, the country’s leader, watching a missile soar out of the water. But some experts questioned the claim, saying the photos appeared to have been manipulated.
South Korean defense officials said at the time that the test in May had merely been a successful ejection of an S.L.B.M., not a full-fledged missile test. The missile had flown just under 500 feet before falling into the sea, they said. In November, the South’s National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in Seoul that North Korea had conducted an S.L.B.M. test that ended in failure. South Korean defense officials said at the time that the test in May had merely been a successful ejection of an submarine-launched ballistic missile, not a full-fledged missile test. The missile flew just under 500 feet before falling into the sea, they said.
Pyongyang is believed to be developing mobile missile systems with the ultimate goal of a harder-to-detect delivery system for nuclear warheads. South Korean officials have said that the North is probably years away from fielding a missile-armed submarine. In November, the South’s National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in Seoul that North Korea had conducted a test of such a missile that ended in failure.
In January, North Korea released video footage indicating that it was capable of launching a submarine-launched ballistic missile, but outside experts again questioned the claim and said the footage seemed to have been doctored. Pyongyang is believed to be developing mobile missile systems with the goal of a harder-to-detect delivery system for nuclear warheads. South Korean officials have said the North is probably years away from fielding a missile-armed submarine.
In January, North Korea released video indicating that it was capable of launching a submarine-launched ballistic missile, but outside experts again questioned the claim and said the footage seemed to have been doctored.
On April 15, the North carried out what American and South Korean officials said was a failed launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Musudan. The missile exploded shortly after it was launched, they said.On April 15, the North carried out what American and South Korean officials said was a failed launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Musudan. The missile exploded shortly after it was launched, they said.