North Korea took another step to bolster its aggressive ballistic weapons program on Saturday as it flouted United Nations regulations and launched a ballistic missile from a submarine.
South Korean military officials said the launch took place in the Sea of Japan, off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. They said troops were placed on high alert in response to the test.
South Korean officials said the missile flew about 30 kilometers, roughly a tenth of what they said would mark a successful test. However, it was progress from an April 14 test that failed completely.
One U.S. official said the launch “was provocative but not a threat to the U.S. and the missile was fired away from South Korea and Japan.”
Another official noted, however, that the test represents progress.
“North Korea’s sub launch capability has gone from a joke to something very serious,” this official told CNN. “The U.S. is watching this very closely.”
“Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
“We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations. The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to the defense of its allies. We will continue to coordinate closely with (South Korea), Japan, and other allies and partners,” Kirby added.
ABC News noted the importance of the test to the North, which has been steadfastly improving both its missile technology and its nuclear weapons program.
“A successful test from a submarine would be a worrying development because mastering the ability to fire missiles from submerged vessels would make it harder for outsiders to detect what North Korea is doing before it launches, giving it the potential to surprise its enemies,” ABC reported.
North Korea is also preparing for a major party congress next month, and the government of Kim Jong-un has been seeking to bolster its domestic support by burnishing its military image leading up to that session.
h/t: CNN
