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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, which would add to the range, secrecy and flexibility of its missile systems. | |
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 submarine-launched ballistic missile, not a full-fledged missile test. The missile flew 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 a test of such a missile that ended in failure. | |
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. |