North Korea reports two submarine missile tests

North Korea’s state media said the country tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, describing the launches as a test of underwater combat systems and a naval training exercise. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the tests on Thursday. It said the launches were intended to assess the systems’ readiness and improve the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions. KCNA also said the tests had no adverse effect on the security of neighboring countries. Those descriptions and assessments have not been independently verified. KCNA-released photographs showed missiles emerging from the sea, including one depicted in a vertical launch and another at an angle. Other images showed a missile flying over the water and a submarine on the surface. The images document what the state agency released, but do not independently establish the launch circumstances or the missiles’ performance. KCNA identified one of the missiles as the Pulhwasal-3-31, a type it had said was tested from land the previous week.