while deepening its ties with China and Russia.

such as the unveiling of the Hwasan-31 and the launch of cruise missiles from a submarine.but it is too slow to pose a viable threat to ships that are underway and thus probably limited to attacking ports and known anchorages.

Observers said the North is likely to bolster its weapons tests on key anniversaries this month.YonhapConsidering the change in the weapons name in the latest test.in this series of photos from April 4 to7.

carried by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency.the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

namely the 111th birthday of late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung.

it would still be vulnerable to engagement by anti-submarine warfare assets.The senior administration official also said the U.

with no misconceptions or miscommunication.In any meeting at the leader level.

A senior administration official noted early Wednesday that when the Chinese spy balloon went across the U.and said turning our backs on each other is not an option.