N. Korea launches missiles from sub as US, South begin major drills
North Korea test-fired two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine Monday in an apparent reaction to its southern neighbor and the United States kicking off their largest joint military drills in five years.
Nuclear-armed Pyongyang said the test verified its "nuclear war deterrence means in different spaces" as it slammed the drills – known as Freedom Shield – which will run for 10 days from Monday, as part of the allies' drive to counter North Korea's growing threats.
"The two strategic cruise missiles precisely hit the preset target on the East Sea of Korea," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
North Korea is not technically banned from firing cruise missiles under current U.N. sanctions – although tests relating to its nuclear arsenal are not allowed.
The KCNA report said the test was linked to the U.S. and South Korea "getting evermore undisguised in their anti-DPRK military maneuvers," referring to the North by its official name.
The South Korean military said it had detected the launch of at least one unidentified missile from a North Korean submarine Sunday morning.
Photos and video released by North Korean state media showed the submarine, the "8.24 Yongung," and a missile flying into the sky from the water, trailing white smoke and flames. Read More…
