As the "new strategic weapon," the authorities believe North Korea may be developing advanced versions of an ICBM or a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

The submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), however, failed to soar from the waters, the official was quoted as saying, noting that debris from the missile found on the ocean surface proved the apparent failure.

Asked about North Korea's recently tested submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Pukguksong-3, the chairman said that the weapon does not seem to be at the stage of operational deployment.

Asked about North Korea's recently tested submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Pukguksong-3, the chairman said that the weapon does not seem to be at the stage of operational deployment.

On 24 August 2016, North Korea successfully launched its submarine-launched ballistic missile Pukkuksong-1 into Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone with a 500 kilometres (310 mi) range and similar altitude.