Alwaght- North Korea has conducted its third submarine ballistic missile firing, South Korean military sources have revealed. There was no immediate report on whether the launch was successful.
Yonhap news agency quoted the South Korean military as saying, "a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was fired Saturday from the Sea of Japan (also known as East Sea) water zone in the open sea direction at about 6:30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT)."
Seoul believes the missile launch was made to make a point in the wake of a key 7th meeting of North Korea Workers' Party in May. A congress of the ruling party has been summoned for the first time in 36 years. The first underwater launch of North Korean SLBM missile KN-11 was made on November 27, 2015.
The next try on December 21 was reported to be a success, with Pyongyang demonstrating its leader Kim Jong-un observing the launch.
The South Korean military suspects Pyongyang of preparing its fifth nuclear test in the very near future, after satellite images exposed that North Korea had resumed tunnel excavation at its main nuclear test site. A similar activity was observed there prior to the latest alleged thermonuclear test in January.
Tensions in the Korean peninsula are running high following provocative United States military activities in neighboring South Korea and other parts of the Asia-Pacific.
Pyongyang says developing its military defenses including nuclear weapons is important in order to protect itself against US interference.
Meanwhile, Russian Strategic Missile Forces have also successfully tested a new hypersonic glide vehicle designed to breach missile defenses and deliver warheads beyond enemy line.
China also recently successfully tested a new long-range ballistic missile capable of engaging any potential target worldwide and hitting the United States within just 30 minutes.
US imperialism and provocative military maneuvers outside its borders have raised concern globally with other powerful nations modernizing their armaments especially missile defenses to counter Washington's moves.
