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## North Korea Missile Tests (2025–2026) **Type:** Narrative/Security Event **Status:** North Korea has expanded missile testing to include submarine-launched cruise missiles (SCMP, October 16), while observers now warn that escalating inter-Korean border tensions, fueled by hostile rhetoric from Kim Yo-jong, raise risk of accidental armed clashes (SCMP, October 22). **Key Facts:** - North Korea test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile claimed to have manoeuvrable flight capabilities designed to evade missile defences in South Korea and Japan (SCMP, October 3). - The October 3 test occurred amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas over border landmine blasts (SCMP, October 3). - Kim Yo-jong said her brother Kim Jong-un supervised the test and described the missile as "strategic," implying a nuclear delivery role (SCMP, October 3). - On October 12, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected several ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area and stated it had "stepped up surveillance and vigilance against possible additional launches" (SCMP, October 12). - Japan's Defence Ministry said it detected at least two suspected ballistic missile launches, assessed to have landed in surrounding waters (SCMP, October 12). - North Korea's state media agency KCNA said the country "test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles" off its eastern coast, using different launch methods, in tests reported Thursday (SCMP, October 16). - North Korea said the tests "contributed to inspecting the regular mobilisation readiness" of its forces (SCMP, October 16). - Observers said the dual launch methods raise questions about the operational readiness of North Korea's growing undersea missile arsenal, which reportedly includes a tactical nuclear-capable submarine (SCMP, October 16). - Kim Yo-jong issued back-to-back warnings on Wednesday and Thursday (October 14-15) regarding the inter-Korean border, which observers say appear aimed at building a case to blame Seoul for any future exchange of fire (SCMP, October 22). - Analyst Oh Gyeong-seob said the two Koreas "appear to be edging closer to accidental armed clashes" along the poorly marked military dividing line (SCMP, October 22). **Timeline:** - October 3: North Korea claims test of manoeuvrable intermediate-range ballistic missile, calls it "strategic" (SCMP). - October 12: North Korea fires multiple additional ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area, days after the earlier test; South Korea and Japan detect and respond with heightened surveillance (SCMP). - October 16: North Korea reports test-firing two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles off its eastern coast from a tactical nuclear-capable submarine, prompting observer questions about the readiness of its undersea arsenal (SCMP). - October 14-15 (reported October 22): Kim Yo-jong issues back-to-back warnings over border tensions, which analysts interpret as laying groundwork to blame South Korea for any future armed clash (SCMP, October 22). **Connections:** Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong, South Korea defence policy, Japan Defence Ministry, inter-Korean tensions, border landmine incidents, North Korea submarine programme, regional arms race, inter-Korean border clashes **Section Relevance:** World/Geopolitics (high), Security/Defence (high), Asia-Pacific affairs