Korea has consecutively test-fired two domestically developed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) seven months after a successful test launch from underwater in September last year, Yonhap News said on April 21.

Quoting a military official, the Seoul-based news agency said two SLBMs on April 18 were consecutively launched from the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, the first 3,000-ton class submarine developed with domestic technology, in the Yellow Sea, and the missiles accurately hit their target.

This came seven months after the nation's first domestically developed SLBM was successfully test-launched from the submarine in September last year.

Yonhap added that both missiles were launched consecutively at an estimated 20-second interval, flew for 400 km and hit the target at sea.

The nation's second and third 3,000-ton class submarines Ahn Mu and Shin Chae-ho, both of which can load SLBMs, have been completed and are undergoing test runs.

Delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy in August last year, the Dosan will be deployed in August this year after a year of evaluation.

The missile has high strategic value as its launch point is undetectable before the projectile goes airborne.

Other countries operating SLBMs include the U.S., Russia, China, the U.K., France and India. Last year, Korea became the seventh nation to successfully launch an SLBM.

hyyoon@korea.kr