N Korea confirms missile test designed for submarine launch

By HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says it has test-fired a newly developed ballistic missile from a submarine in its first such underwater test-launch in two years. The test Tuesday was the fifth round of missile launches since September and came as North Korea steps up pressure on Washington and Seoul to abandon what Pyongyang sees as hostile policies, such as joint U.S.-South Korea military drills and international sanctions on the North. North Korea said the test would boost its military’s operational capabilities underwater. Tuesday’s launch was the highest-profile weapons test by North Korea since President Joe Biden took office in January. Sung Kim, Biden’s special envoy on North Korea, emphasized U.S. condemnation of the launch  and urged Pyongyang to refrain from further provocations.