North Korea Tests New Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile Twice in a Week

Kim Jong Un Supervises Tests as Part of Plan to Build Nuclear-Armed Navy Amid Rising Tensions with South Korea

North Korea has conducted two tests of its new strategic cruise missile, Pulhwasal-3-31, within a week. The missile is designed to be launched from submarines and is suggested to be nuclear-capable.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the tests and expressed satisfaction with the results. The tests are part of his plan to build a nuclear-armed navy to counter perceived external threats.
The missile tests follow a series of provocative actions by North Korea, including the launch of an 'underwater nuclear weapon system' and a solid-fueled hypersonic ballistic missile.
Despite international sanctions, North Korea's economy is showing signs of improvement, partly due to its sales of military equipment to Russia. This economic resurgence could potentially reduce the likelihood of a military conflict.
Kim Jong Un has declared South Korea as his country's 'principal enemy' and stated that peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula is no longer possible. This has led to a sharp deterioration in ties between the two Koreas.