North Korea test fires submarine cruise missiles in East Sea

North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, France 24 reported, citing North Korean state news agency KCNA. NK News also reported the test-fires. The state media said the launches into the East Sea, which is also known as the Sea of Japan, posed no threat to neighbouring countries. [1][5]

The missile tests follow rising tensions with South Korea after a landmine explosion on September 21 in the Demilitarised Zone, France 24 reported. That incident injured three South Korean soldiers. [1]

North Korea constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders South Korea to the south at the Demilitarized Zone. The country shares its northern borders with China and Russia along the Yalu and Tumen rivers. [9]

Meanwhile, China and North Korea are set to officially open the New Yalu River Bridge on Thursday, Al Jazeera English and the South China Morning Post reported, citing Chinese state news agency Xinhua. China completed its side of the long-delayed bridge in 2014, but North Korea left its side unfinished for 12 years after relations cooled following Beijing's support for United Nations sanctions. [2][3]