N. Korea confirms submarine launch of new ballistic missile

New, smaller missile could be aimed at quick deployment, say analysts

SEOUL • North Korea test-fired a new, smaller ballistic missile from a submarine, state media confirmed yesterday, a move that analysts said could be aimed at more quickly fielding an operational missile submarine.

The statement from state media came a day after South Korea’s military reported that it believed North Korea had fired a submarinelaunched ballistic missile (SLBM) off its east coast, the latest in a string of North Korean missile tests.

The White House urged North Korea to refrain from further “provocations”, with spokesman Jen Psaki saying on Tuesday that the United States remained open to engaging diplomatically with North Korea over its weapons programmes.

Pyongyang so far has rejected those overtures, accusing the US and South Korea of talking diplomacy while ratcheting up tensions with their own military activities.

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong yesterday called for Washington to ease sanctions if the North returns to talks.