North Korea's Kim Jong un supervises tests of cruise missiles

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised test firings of new cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines and also reviewed efforts to build a nuclearpowered submarine while reiterating his goal of building a nucleararmed navy to counter what he portrays as growing external threats state media said MondayThe report came a day after South Koreas military said it detected North Korea firing multiple cruise missiles over waters near the eastern port of Sinpo where the North has a major shipyard developing submarines It was the latest in a streak of weapons demonstrations by North Korea amid increasing tensions with the United States South Korea and JapanNorth Koreas official newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photos of what appeared to be at least two missiles fired separately Both created grayishwhite clouds as they broke the water surface and soared into the air at an angle of around 45 degrees which possibly suggests they were fired from torpedo launch tubesState media said the missiles were Pulhwasal331 a new type of weapon first tested last week in landbased launches from North Koreas western coast The reports implied that two missiles were fired during the test but did not specify the vessel used for the launches North Korea in past years has fired missiles both from developmental missilefiring submarines and underwater test platforms built on bargesIn recent years North Korea has tested a variety of missiles designed to be fired from submarines as it pursues the ability to conduct nuclear strikes from underwater In theory such capacity would bolster its deterrent by ensuring a survivable capability to retaliate after absorbing a nuclear attack on land Missilefiring submarines would also add a maritime threat to the Norths growing collection of solidfuel weapons fired from land vehicles that are designed to overwhelm missile defenses of South Korea Japan and the United StatesStill it would take considerable time resources and technological improvements for the heavily sanctioned nation to build a fleet of at least several submarines that could travel quietly and execute attacks reliably analysts say The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim expressed satisfaction after the missiles accurately hit their sea targets during Sundays testHe then issued unspecified important tasks for realizing the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the sphere of operation which he described as crucial goals considering the prevailing situation and future threats the report said KCNA said Kim was also briefed on efforts to develop a nuclearpropelled submarine and other advanced naval vesselsKim issued similar comments about a nucleararmed navy in September while attending the launching ceremony of what the North described as a new submarine capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons from underwater He said then that the country was pursuing a nuclearpropelled submarine and that it plans to remodel existing submarines and surface vessels so they can handle nuclear weaponsNuclearpropelled submarines can quietly travel long distances and approach enemy shores to deliver strikes which would bolster Kims declared aim of building a nuclear arsenal that could viably threaten the US mainland But experts say such vessels are likely unfeasible for the North without external assistance in the neartermNorth Korea has an estimated 70 to 90 dieselpowered submarines in one of the worlds largest submarine fleets But they are mostly aging vessels capable of launching only torpedoes and mines South Koreas military said the submarine unveiled by North Korea in September the Hero Kim Kun Ok didnt look ready for operational duty and suggested the North was exaggerating its capabilitiesThe submarine appeared to have at least 10 launch tubes possibly designed for missiles The Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North would have needed to increase the size of the bridge and other parts of the original vessel to accommodate missile launch systems but that the appearance of the vessel suggested it could not be operated normallyTensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased in recent months as Kim accelerates his weapons development and issues provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the US and its Asian allies The US South Korea and Japan in response have been expanding their combined military exercises which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals and sharpening their deterrence strategies built around nuclearcapable US assetsThe recent cruise missile launches followed a Jan 14 test firing of North Koreas first solidfuel intermediaterange ballistic missile which reflected Kims efforts to expand his arsenal of weapons designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan and remote US targets in the Pacific including GuamThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data 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