North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station No. 3
in this undated photo released by N.Korea’s Korean Central News Agency.
(Photo: Reuters)

South Korean authorities say North Korea has fired what appears to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in its east coast.

The move follows concerns that North Korea might conduct a nuclear test or a missile launch ahead of a key ruling party meeting.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff the North fired the missile to the northeast from its east coast at about 6:30 pm (local time).

The official declined to elaborate on whether the SLBM launch had succeeded, saying the military was closely monitoring the moves of the North Korean forces.

– with other agencies