North Korea tests two types of strategic cruise missiles from a submarine

North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, state news agency KCNA reported. The missiles were fired into the sea off the east coast; KCNA said the tests checked the reliability of the country's "war deterrents" and had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries. Senior military officers observed the launch, while leader Kim Jong Un did not attend, according to South Korean media.

South Korean analysts believe the missiles were from the Hwasal-2 and Pulhwasal-3-31 series, which can carry small nuclear warheads. They suspect the launch platform was the "Hero Kim Kun Ok" submarine, launched in 2023. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it tracked the missiles from launch to termination. How operational North Korea's sea-based weapons really are remains unclear.

The test is part of a series: North Korea fired a hypersonic missile on Oct. 3 and several ballistic missiles on Oct. 12; it said it tested a Pulhwasal-3-31 from land last week. Tensions with South Korea have also risen since a landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone in September that Seoul blames on the North. Nuclear talks with Washington have stalled since 2019; President Trump has floated a meeting with Kim, but none has taken place.