North Korea fired two “strategic cruise missiles” from a submarine in waters off its east coast over the weekend, Yonhap reported this morning, citing North Korean state media. “The drill confirmed the reliability of the weapon system and examined the underwater-to-surface offensive operations of submarine units that constitute one of other major forces of the D.P.R.K. nuclear deterrent,” the KCNA said in an English-language report. “The drill … verified the current operation posture of the nuclear war deterrence means in different spaces,” the KCNA said.
The missile launch, which reportedly occurred on March 12, Sunday morning, came as the U.S. and South Korea launched their largest joint exercise in five years. The Freedom Shield exercise continues for 11 days without a weekend break to enable South Korea and U.S. troops to enhance their combat readiness and combined defense posture under real war conditions, reported the Korea Herald.
