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North Korea could have ballistic missiles on submarines within two years

The country’s armed forces have already run a test launch of the missile, which Kim Jong-un watched from an offshore location

Monday 11 May 2015 09:04 BST

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the test-fire of a strategic submarine underwater ballistic missile (not pictured) (Reuters )

North Korea's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile from a submarine was “very serious and concerning”, South Korea said on Monday, with one defence official suggesting Pyongyang could have a fully operational platform in two or three years.

Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency said on Saturday North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, oversaw the test-launch of the missile from an offshore location. Such a development could pose a new threat to the isolated country's neighbours and the United States.

“We urge North Korea to immediately stop developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which hinder the stability of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia,” Kim Min-seok, spokesman for South Korea's defence ministry, told reporters on Monday.

He said North Korea still needed time to develop additional equipment in order to make its submarine-launched missile system fully operational.

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

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1/12In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

A South Korean marine LVT-7 landing craft sail to shores through a smoke screen during the U.S.-South Korea joint landing exercises called Ssangyong, part of the Foal Eagle military exercises in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

Amphibious assault vehicles of the South Korean Marine Corps throw smoke bombs as they move to land on shore during a U.S.-South Korea joint landing operation drill in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

The planned North Korean drills come after an increase in threatening rhetoric from Pyongyang and a series of rocket and ballistic missile launches in an apparent protest against the annual military exercises by Seoul and Washington

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

South Korean Marine amphibious assault vehicles land on the seashore during a joint landing operation by U.S. and South Korean Marines in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

A South Korean Marine stands on a beach as amphibious assault vehicles (in background) approach the seashore during a joint landing operation by U.S. and South Korean Marines in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

U.S. Marines take a position during a joint landing operation by US and South Korean Marines in Pohang. North Korea announced a live-fire drill near its disputed maritime border with South Korea, further ratcheting up tensions a day after threatening a 'new form' of nuclear test

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

Marines from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Battalion landing team deployed from Okinawa, Japan participate in the U.S. and South Korean Marines joint landing operation at Pohang seashore in Pohang. It has been reported by South Korean media that the scale of this annual joint exercise is one of the largest in the past

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

U.S. marines participate in a U.S.-South Korea joint landing operation drill in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

The drill is part of the two countries' annual military training called Foal Eagle, which runs until April. North Korea declared a no-sail warning for areas off its west coast near a disputed border with South Korea and has notified the South that it will conduct firing drills

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

The warning from North Korea comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the North after the U.N. Security Council condemned Pyongyang for its mid-range missile launches, just as the leaders of South Korea, Japan and the United States met to discuss the North's arms programme

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

An amphibious assault vehicle of the South Korean Marine Corps arrives on shore during a U.S.-South Korea joint landing operation drill in Pohang

In pictures: South and North Korea exchange fire as tensions rise with US Marines' exercise

South Korea

South Korean marine's Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) move their position during the U.S. and South Korean Marines joint landing operation at Pohang seashore in Pohang

However, a South Korean defence official said separately that North Korea could develop a fully operational submarine with ballistic missiles within two or three years.

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

North Korea's state media often boasts of successful military and space accomplishments, including the launch of a functional communications satellite, which are not independently verified by outside experts.

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

Additional reporting by James Pearson

Reuters

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