(LEAD) S. Korean military sees N. Korea's claimed submarine-launched cruise missile test as 'exaggerated'

▲ This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 29, 2024, shows the North's firing of a claimed submarine-launched cruise missile the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-NK missile launch

(LEAD) S. Korean military sees N. Korea's claimed submarine-launched cruise missile test as 'exaggerated'

(ATTN: RECASTS 2nd para; ADDS more details from 5th para)

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military said Monday it is putting weight on the possibility that North Korea's latest purported test of submarine-launched cruise missiles is "exaggerated," noting that a detailed analysis is under way with the United States.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Sunday it had detected the North's launch of several cruise missiles at around 8 a.m. over waters near the eastern port city of Sinpo, where a submarine shipyard is located.

On Monday, the North's state media reported the country test-fired the submarine-launched strategic cruise missile, "Pulhwasal-3-31," with the missiles flying for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds, suggesting the test involved two missiles.

"(We) are putting weight on the possibility that the North's claimed flight time is exaggerated. Further details are being analyzed by the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States," JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-jun told a regular briefing.

Lee declined to elaborate on the missiles' launch platform, citing the ongoing analysis. State media did not give details on whether the missiles were actually launched from a submarine.

The latest launch of the Pulhwasal-3-31 came days after the North claimed to have test-fired the missile for the first time last Wednesday. At the time, the North described it simply as a "new-type strategic cruise missile" under development, without offering other details.

Lee said there has to be considerable technological development to launch an identical missile from a different platform, raising questions over the apparent change in the missile's launch platform in a short span of time.

The North has been pushing to bolster its underwater military capabilities, with the regime unveiling the Hero Kim Kun Ok tactical nuclear attack submarine last September.

When asked about the submarine possibly being linked to the latest test launch, Lee declined to comment, saying an analysis is needed to know the specifications of the launches and what launch platform was used.

Lee said the South Korean military is tracking developments surrounding the new submarine, adding that he understands that improvements and repairs have been made on the vessel since its unveiling.

At the time, a JCS official said the submarine appeared to be unable to carry out operations normally.

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