North Korea says it test-fired two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles
North Korean state media KCNA said the country test-fired two types of strategic cruise missiles designed for submarines on Wednesday 14 October. Outlets note the launches come amid a run of weapons tests and tension with South Korea.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, state news agency KCNA reported on Thursday. France 24N “North Korea has test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, state news agency KCNA said Thursday.” Read at France 24 ↗ Centre · 1KCNA said the missiles were fired into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, and had no "adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries". France 24N “The agency said the missiles were fired Wednesday into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, without "any adverse impact on the security of neighboring countries".” Read at France 24 ↗ Centre · 1According to KCNA, the test aimed to examine the "current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems", served as a Navy training exercise, and showed the "high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK". France 24N “The latest testing "aimed to examine the current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems" and served as a Navy training exercise, KCNA said.”“The tests showed the "high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK," the agency reported” Read at France 24 ↗
Centre · 1KCNA photos showed one missile rising vertically out of the sea with a thick plume of smoke, another projectile erupting from the water at about 45 degrees, a missile flying horizontally over the sea, and a submarine on the surface. France 24N “Photos released by KCNA showed one missile blasting vertically out of the sea trailed by a thick plume of smoke.”“Other images showed a missile flying horizontally over the sea, as well as a submarine traveling on the water's surface.” Read at France 24 ↗ Centre · 1Deutsche Welle noted that the state media described the weapons as strategic, which it said implies an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads, but that the report did not say whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform. Deutsche WelleN “A North Korean state media report described the weapons as strategic, implying an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads.”“But the report did not specify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ Centre · 1The launch follows weeks of friction with South Korea after a 21 September landmine explosion in the South Korean-controlled part of the Demilitarised Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers. France 24N “Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the September 21 blast in the Seoul-controlled area of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)” Read at France 24 ↗
Centre · 1The two Koreas have traded missile tests this month: North Korea has carried out multiple ballistic missile tests in October, most recently on Monday, and South Korea test-fired its first homegrown hypersonic missile last week, days after Pyongyang said it had launched an AI-assisted intermediate-range hypersonic missile. France 24N “North Korea has carried out multiple ballistic missile tests in October, most recently on Monday.”“South Korea test-fired its first homegrown hypersonic missile last week, days after Pyongyang said it had launched an AI-assisted intermediate-range hypersonic missile.” Read at France 24 ↗ Centre · 1Cruise missiles tend to be jet-propelled and fly lower than ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept, while a proven submarine-launched ballistic missile capability would give North Korea a second-strike option; France 24 says its sea-based launch capabilities remain unclear. France 24N “Cruise missiles tend to be jet-propelled and fly at a lower altitude than more sophisticated ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.”“North Korea has carried out several missile launches from submarines in recent years, although its sea-based launch capabilities remain unclear.” Read at France 24 ↗ Centre · 1Deutsche Welle adds that North Korea is not yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation, and that the test came two days after KCNA released photos of Kim Jong Un at a new military museum displaying an ICBM reportedly able to reach the US. Deutsche WelleN “it is not yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation.”“The museum displayed an intercontinental ballistic missile reportedly capable of reaching the US” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗
Centre · 1DW also reports that Kim has made boosting the nuclear arsenal his key priority, that US President Donald Trump said earlier in the week he might meet Kim on an Asia trip next month, and that North Korea has halted all coordination with South Korea and removed references to reunification from its constitution. Deutsche WelleN “Earlier in the week, Trump, alluding to a trip to Asia next month, said he might meet Kim on the trip.”“North Korea has put a halt to all coordination with South Korea and has removed all references to reunification with the South from its constitution.” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both European centre outlets report the launch largely through KCNA's account, placing it within a run of weapons tests and strained inter-Korean relations. France 24 stresses the tit-for-tat missile tests with South Korea; DW stresses the strategic and nuclear implications and the unanswered questions about the launch platform.
- Emphasis
- France 24: KCNA's statements, photos, the DMZ landmine incident and the tit-for-tat tests. DW: ambiguity over whether a real submarine was used, Kim's nuclear priority and possible Trump-Kim meeting.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports an independent verification of the launch or a reaction from South Korea, Japan or the US. France 24 omits the Trump-Kim angle; DW omits the DMZ landmine incident.
- Charged language
- “amid rising tensions”“war deterrents”
- For example
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“North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles amid rising tensions” — France 24
“But the report did not specify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.” — Deutsche Welle
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- KCNA said North Korea test-fired submarine-launched cruise missiles described as strategic.
- The tests took place on Wednesday 14 October, in waters off the Korean peninsula's east coast.
- The launch came during a run of North Korean weapons tests in recent weeks.
Where accounts differ
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What the launch platform was
- Centre
- KCNA calls the weapons submarine-launched and a submarine appears in its photos (France 24), but DW says the report did not specify whether an actual submarine or an underwater test platform was used.
North Korea place
Through KCNA, North Korea presents the test as a Navy training exercise showing the reliability of its war deterrents and posing no threat to neighbours.
“The tests showed the "high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK," the agency reported” — France 24
South Korea place
South Korea appears in the coverage as a rival in a run of missile tests, having test-fired its first homegrown hypersonic missile last week; no reaction to this launch is reported.
“South Korea test-fired its first homegrown hypersonic missile last week” — France 24
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles amid rising tensions
Neutral Reports KCNA's claims with context on the DMZ landmine blast and the October tit-for-tat missile tests between the two Koreas.
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North Korea says it tested cruise missiles to be launched from sub
Neutral Reports the claim while noting what KCNA did not specify and placing it in the context of Kim's nuclear priorities and possible Trump diplomacy.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 00:12 First France 24N North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles amid rising tensions
- 15 Oct 00:37 +25m Deutsche WelleN North Korea says it tested cruise missiles to be launched from sub
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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