Latest N. Korea sub missile test a 'catastrophic failure'

North Korea's "successful" submarine-launched ballistic missile test last month was, in fact, an explosive failure that was not even launched from a submarine, separate expert analyses say.

Seoul (AFP) - North Korea's "successful" submarine-launched ballistic missile test last month was, in fact, an explosive failure that was not even launched from a submarine, separate expert analyses concluded Wednesday.

The North released a video of the purported December 21 test on Saturday, showing leader Kim Jong-Un -- dressed in a winter coat and fedora hat -- looking on as a missile was launched vertically from underwater and ignited in mid-air.