After North Korea, now South Korea successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) becoming the 7th country in the world to do so. It also became the first country without nuclear weapons to develop such a system.
- The SLBM was fired underwater from its newly commissioned 3,000 ton class Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine.
- The test was supervised by President Moon Jae-in.
Key Points:
i.The aim of the test is to counter North Korea’s growing defence capabilities.
ii.It has been codenamed the Hyunmoo 4-4 as a variant of North Korea’s Hyunmoo-2B ballistic missile, which can travel about 500 km (311 miles).
iii.Other countries that have tested or developed SLBMs are the United States (US), Russia, China, Britain, France, North Korea, and India.
North Korea tested rail-launched ballistic missiles
On September 16, 2021, North Korea successfully test fired two short-range ballistic missiles from a train for the first time during a drill of its Railway Mobile Missile Regiment.
- The missiles flew 800 km (497 miles) before striking a target in the sea off North Korea’s east coast,
- Rail mobile missiles are a cheap and reliable option to improve the survivability of their nuclear forces.
Recent Related News:
Korean Air (of South Korea) has been selected as the ‘2021 Airline of the Year’ by Air Transport World (ATW), it is also called the ‘Oscar in the Aviation Industry’. It was awarded the Oscar for managing the situation under COVID-19 effectively.
About South Korea:
Capital– Seoul
Currency– South Korean won
