North Korea has likely received technical help from Russia for its submarine development, South Korea's Defence Minister says.

North Korea has vowed to develop submarines that can launch ballistic missiles and has test-fired such missiles from submerged platforms, but it is not clear whether Pyongyang has succeeded in mastering a launch from submarines.

It is also pursuing the development of nuclear-powered submarines.

South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told parliament on Monday it appeared true that the North was receiving "various technologies" for its submarine development.

The minister said, however, it was premature to conclude Pyongyang had test-launched a SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) from a submarine.

North Korea and Russia have dramatically upgraded mil

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