North Korea has reportedly test-fired five short-range missiles in to the sea from an undisclosed coastal town in the country, which if confirmed would be its second such testing this year.
A South Korean Defence Ministry official was quoted as saying that the missiles flew approximately 200km on 8 February, before landing in waters off the country’s east coast.
Reports also emerged that North Korea tested its new ultra-precision sophisticated anti-ship missile from a small naval vessel from its East Sea Fleet on 6 February.
The news comes ahead of next month’s annual US-South Korean drills, which are scheduled to take place on the Korean Peninsula.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported: "The ultra-precision anti-ship rocket blasted off from a rocket boat. The intelligent rocket precisely sought, tracked and hit the ‘enemy’ ship after flying there safely."
KCNA added that the new missile is set to be commissioned for North Korean navy warships.
The missile is claimed to be similar to Russia’s high-speed anti-ship KH-35 missile, which can fly just metres above the sea.
Last November, North Korea tested an ejection launcher for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) on a land-based vertical launch tube in Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province.
The SLBM is expected to be either a new anti-ship cruise missile offering a 130km range or a new short-range ballistic missile with a 240km range.
