North Korea has confirmed that it has carried out its first underwater-launched ballistic missile test in three years on October 3, 2019, in an apparent bid to dial up pressure on the US ahead of a weekend resumption of their nuclear diplomacy. The test involved Pukguksong-3 missile, which North Korea describes as a submarine-launched ballistic missile, is seen as the North’s most high-profile weapons launch since it began diplomacy with the US. The Korean Central News Agency said the missile test in the waters off its east coast was successful and “ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces’ threat to (North Korea) and further bolstering its military muscle for self-defense.” Analyst Kim Dong-yub wrote on Facebook that the missile was likely fired from a barge built for an underwater launch.