N. Korea 'test-fires submarine-launched missile'

North Korea has said that it has successfully tested a submarine-launched missile, which if confirmed would be a significant boost in its arsenal,n BBC News reported.

Pictures on state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un looking on as a missile shot out of the water.

Analysts say North Korea owns several nuclear warheads but this development would be an advance as submarine-fired devices are difficult to detect.

This latest test has not been independently verified.

State media described the missile emerging with "a fiery, blazing trail", but did not mention the date or the location of the test.

One possibility is the eastern coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite images released earlier this year appeared to show a submarine being equipped with launch capabilities.

Kim Jong-un said his country now possessed a "world-level strategic weapon capable of striking and wiping out in any waters the hostile forces infringing upon [North Korea's] sovereignty and dignity", the reports said.

Such a test would violate UN sanctions banning North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

Up to now, its missiles have been land-based and only capable of hitting neighbouring countries.
North Korea is also believed to be attempting to miniaturise nuclear weapons to fit on its missiles.