The Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday that "the Missile Administration test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea of Korea the previous day."
Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the Workers' Party Central Committee, Jang Chang-ha, director of the Missile Administration, and engineers of the Korean People's Army Navy's underwater weapons systems observed the launch site.
The agency said the test-fire "contributed to inspecting the regular mobilization posture of the underwater combat systems and honing the navy's ability to carry out strategic missions, and helped demonstrate the high reliability, credibility and capability of the DPRK's war deterrent means." It added that the test-fire "had no negative impact whatsoever on the security of neighboring countries."
News of the test-fire did not appear in the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party newspaper read by North Korean residents, and was carried only by the Korean Central News Agency, an outlet aimed at foreign audiences. South Korea's military authorities did not disclose the missile launch.