Special to WorldTribune.com

Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

U.S. intelligence agencies closely monitored North Korea’s test of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile and were anticipating the launch for several days, according to U.S. officials.

The missile test Saturday of a purported North Korean missile, known as the KN-11, was closely watched by U.S. intelligence monitoring equipment, including satellites, aircraft, and observation ships, said officials familiar with intelligence reports.

U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that the missile test was more of an ejection test — a launch from underwater that fires the missile out of a simulated launch tube into the air. The missile then ignited its engine and flew a short distance, the officials said.

U.S. officials do not believe the missile was launched from a submerged submarine. A similar test was carried out April 22.

The North Korean government announced Saturday that the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a new strategic nuclear delivery vehicle, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Saturday. The missile launch was observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the main propaganda news outlet added.

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  N. Korean test of SLBM came as no surprise to U.S. intel, WorldTribune.com