North Korea tests submarine-launched cruise missiles, heightening tensions with Seoul

North Korea conducted tests of two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday in the sea off its east coast. According to state media reports from the Korean Central News Agency, senior military officers observed the weapons evaluations, which were carried out to verify the mission capabilities of the country's navy.

The announcements following the Wednesday event noted that the tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries. The strategic cruise missile launches represent the latest in a series of military developments by Pyongyang aimed at demonstrating and enhancing its naval and strategic defense capabilities.