North Korea Fires Cruise Missile, Raising Possibility of Submarine-Launched Missiles

Our military detected several cruise missiles launched by North Korea around 8 a.m. on the 28th near the sea off Sinpo City, South Hamgyong Province.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “The specifics are being closely analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies.” They added, “Our military has strengthened surveillance and security, and we are closely cooperating with the U.S. We are also monitoring for additional signs and activities from North Korea.”

This is the first time in three days since the 24th that the Joint Chiefs of Staff have announced the detection of a cruise missile launched by North Korea.

The military did not disclose whether North Korea launched the missile from the sea, underwater, or on land. North Korean state media has also not made an official announcement. However, considering the location ‘Sinpo’, where North Korea’s submarine facilities are located, they are watching for the possibility that North Korea may have fired a submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM).

North Korea has previously launched a cruise missile from the Sinpo on March 12 last year. During that period, North Korea reported that ‘8.24 Youngung’ fired two strategic cruise missiles from the waters of Kyungpo Bay in the East Sea of Korea in launch training. Kyungpo Bay is off-coast of Hongwon County, South Hamgyong Province, where the submarine facilities are densely located in the sealine of Sinpo.

Furthermore, North Korea announced on September 8 last year that it had constructed the first tactical nuclear attack submarine capable of a nuclear attack, the ‘Hero Kim Gun-ok’ (No. 841), and held a launching ceremony at the Sinpo Shipyard. This submarine is believed to be an improved Romeo-class (about 3,000-ton), but the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time assessed that it did not appear to be operational.

By. Won Joong Yong