DPRK says it successfully tested new submarine-launched ballistic missile

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic said on Thursday it had successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM, from the sea to contain external threats and bolster self-defense, ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States.

DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un "sent warm congratulations" to the defense scientists who conducted the test, according to the state KCNA news agency, indicating he did not attend the launch as he had at previous tests of new weapons systems.

The new type of SLBM, called Pukguksong-3, was "fired in vertical mode" in the waters off the eastern city of Wonsan, KCNA said, confirming an assessment by the Republic of Korea's military on Wednesday that the missile was launched on a lofted trajectory.