[2nd Report] Military Authorities "Suspect SLBM"... Closely Monitoring Related Movements

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the 19th is presumed to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), according to military authorities.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated in the afternoon, "At around 10:17 AM today (19th), we detected one unidentified short-range ballistic missile, presumed to be an SLBM, launched by North Korea from the sea east of Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, into the East Sea," adding, "There were related movements in the area, so we were closely monitoring."

The missile launched by North Korea is estimated to have flown at an altitude of 60 km and a distance of 590 km. However, while the military authorities presume it was an underwater test launch, they have not ruled out the possibility of it being launched from a submarine. An underwater test launch refers to a launch conducted from a structure such as a barge.

Considering that the Joint Chiefs mentioned the "sea east of Sinpo," there is a possibility that the first test launch from a submarine was conducted. Sinpo is the location where North Korea is constructing submarines capable of carrying SLBMs.

If this SLBM test launch is confirmed, it will be approximately two years since the public announcement of a successful underwater test launch in 2019. North Korea succeeded in underwater test launches of the 'Pukguksong-1' in 2015 and the 'Pukguksong-3' SLBMs in 2019.