North Korea boosts surprise attack ability with wider range of missiles

Submarine-launched and trajectory-shifting weapons could overwhelm defenses

20211020N north korea slbm 4-frame KCNA KYODO

North Korea says the recent missile firings tie back to its five-year plan to develop its weapons system. © KCNA/Kyodo

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writers

October 21, 2021 01:00 JST

SEOUL -- The spate of ballistic missile tests conducted by North Korea in recent weeks demonstrates that the regime is building up capabilities to stage surprise attacks on targets in the region.

The test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile Tuesday followed last month's launch of missiles that can shift their trajectories and what North Korea said was a new hypersonic missile.