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Kim Jong-Un praises 'miracle' sub missile test, despite claims it is fake

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has praised the "eye-opening miracle" achieved by the country's r...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.38 26 May 2015


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Kim Jong-Un praises 'm...

Kim Jong-Un praises 'miracle' sub missile test, despite claims it is fake

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.38 26 May 2015


Share this article


North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has praised the "eye-opening miracle" achieved by the country's recent submarine missile test - despite experts believing it was faked.

Mr Kim hailed it as a "historical event" for the state's military capability as he met scientists and technicians who worked on the test, reported North Korea's KCNA news agency.

But experts have poured cold water on the claims.

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They believe the photos were faked using image manipulation software and the missiles were probably fired from an underwater platform rather than a sub.

The images, released earlier this month, show a missile blasting from the sea, while others show a grinning Mr Kim watching from a nearby boat.

North Korea's National Defence Commission claimed it marked "a higher stage in our efforts to develop strategic striking forces".

It added: "The United States and its cronies must stop kicking up a ruckus over our measures to strengthen self-defence capabilities."

However, North Korea is believed to be years away from having a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threat.

Such a capability would take the country's threat to a new level, potentially allowing it to roam the oceans with a nuclear weapon.

Despite doubts over the test, South Korea has asked the UN to investigate whether the totalitarian state has breached its ban on developing or using ballistic missiles.

"We've sent a letter to the UN Sanctions Committee," foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-Il told reporters.

North Korea also claimed last week it had managed to miniaturise nuclear weapons, allowing them to mount the warheads into the tips of its ballistic weapons.

Mr Kim meanwhile continues to add to his bizarre range of public appearances with a recent visits to a terrapin farm and a salmon farm.

He was pictured berating managers for their "incompetence" and "outmoded way of thinking".


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