N.Korea Shows Footage of Submarine-Launched Missile

North Korea on Thursday published footage of what it claimed was the successful launch of a submarine-based ballistic missile.

The two-minute clip posted on the propaganda website Uriminzokkiri shows a projectile that appears to be a ballistic missile being launched from a black submerged vessel as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches through binoculars.

Kim is then heard to hail the launch as a major accomplishment.

The clip says the successful launch will enable Pyongyang to conduct underwater missions "as it wishes" and to strike its enemies "from the sea."

North Korea revealed another clip a couple of weeks later after the launch, but itas authenticity was questioned.

A Unification Ministry official said, "North Korea's intent in unveiling the footage appears aimed at showing off its military might and threatening the Seoul-Washington alliance."

Meanwhile, the regime seems to have replaced Army chief Hyon Yong-chol, who was executed recently, with Pak Yong-sik, the military's top political officer.

A government source here said Pak has recently been spotted accompanying Kim on visits to military bases, while his name was mentioned on May 29 even before Ri Jae-il, the man in charge of propaganda at the Workers Party.

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