Hours after agreeing to resume talks, North Korea launches projectile

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Thursday it had successfully test-fired a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, aimed at containing external threats and bolstering its self-defence.

The launch came a day after it announced the resumption of talks with the United States on ending its nuclear programme. It is seen by analysts as the most provocative test by North Korea since it started the talks with the United States in 2018.

The new type of SLBM called Pukguksong-3 was "fired in vertical mode," the North's official KCNA news agency said, confirming an assessment by South Korea's military on Wednesday that the missile was launched at a lofted angle.