Story perspectives

North Korea Tests Two Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 2:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

North Korea Tests Missiles

North Korea test-fired two submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea on Jan. 14.
Kim Jong-sik and Jang Chang-ha observed the test.
North Korea's officials said the test showed high reliability, dependability, and deterrence capability.
Officials claimed the test had no negative impact on neighboring countries’ security.
South Korea's military authorities did not disclose the missile launch.

Summary

Kim Tours Missile Exhibit

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un toured a defence museum displaying the Hwasong-20 ICBM on Oct 13.
The exhibit showed a multiple-warhead design and a map of reach to the United States, Middle East and Australia.
Analysts say the museum makes North Korea’s weapons program a permanent regime symbol.
President Donald Trump hinted at meeting Kim Jong Un at the upcoming APEC summit in China.

Summary

South Korea Condemns Launches

South Korea’s National Security Office convened an emergency meeting condemning the launches as UN Security Council violations.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone and followed an irregular trajectory.
Vice-minister Takashi Koyari said the October launches doubled last year’s total and tripled projectile count.
South Korea’s presidential office urged North Korea to halt all launches, calling them a grave threat to regional peace.

History

Historical Context

North Korea’s 1998 Taepodong-1 launch, which flew over Japan, triggered UN Security Council Resolution 1130 and $1 billion in sanctions. After Kim Jong Il paused testing, Kim Jong Un accelerated the program, tallying 129 missile launches by April 2023. Today’s submarine-launched cruise-missile tests and his museum display revive that 1998 escalation, prompting fresh denouncements from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.

1 of 4

North Korea Tests Missiles

North Korea test-fired two submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea on Jan. 14.
Kim Jong-sik and Jang Chang-ha observed the test.
North Korea's officials said the test showed high reliability, dependability, and deterrence capability.
Officials claimed the test had no negative impact on neighboring countries’ security.
South Korea's military authorities did not disclose the missile launch.

1 / 4