North Korea Can Develop Missile-Equipped Submarines in 2-3 Years: South Korean Official

Seoul, South Korea: North Korea could build a fully operational submarine equipped with ballistic missiles within two or three years, a South Korean defence official said on Monday.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said photos of North Korea's test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile appeared authentic.

North Korea said on Saturday it had successfully test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine. Such a development, if verified, would mark a significant new technological achievement for Pyongyang.