*SEOUL*: North Korea said on Thursday it had successfully test-fired a newsubmarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from sea to contain externalthreats and bolster self-defence, ahead of fresh nuclear talks with theUnited States.
The launch on Wednesday was the most provocative by North Korea since itresumed dialogue with the United States in 2018 and a reminder by Pyongyangof the weapons capability it had been aggressively developing, includingintercontinental ballistic missiles, analysts said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “sent warm congratulations” to the defencescientists who conducted the test, state news agency KCNA said, indicatinghe did not attend the launch as he had done previously at tests of newweapons systems.
