North fires two submarine-launched ‘strategic cruise missiles’ on Sunday

In this undated photo from the Korea Central News Agency, a submarine-launched missile is being fired off the coast of the East Sea. [YONHAP]

North Korea fired two submarine-launched “strategic cruise missiles” on Sunday, the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The missiles were fired from 8.24 Yongung in waters off Kyongpho Bay in the East Sea, the KCNA reported on Monday morning.

"The drill confirmed the reliability of the weapon system and examined the underwater-to-surface offensive operations of submarine units that constitute one of other major forces of the DPRK nuclear deterrent," the KCNA said in an English report. DPRK refers to North Korea's official name.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that two missiles were fired in a text message sent to reporters on Monday.

The launch came a day before South Korea and the United States start the Freedom Shield military exercise on Monday.

North Korea has lambasted the planned drill, calling it “preparations for a war of aggression.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]