North Korea Inaugurates “Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine”

North Korea unveiled its newly developed “tactical nuclear attack submarine” in a ceremony attended by the nation’s leader, Kim Jong Un.

As reported by state media KCNA, this initiative aligns with the broader strategy to amplify North Korea’s defensive and deterrent capabilities.

During the ceremony, which took place amidst a vibrant backdrop of balloons and confetti, Kim Jong Un emphasized the nation’s plans involving advancing its naval forces’ nuclear weaponization.

Kim claims the initiative is crucial to the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its underwater and surface forces. The event highlighted the unveiling of the submarine, which has been christened “Hero Kim Kun Ok”, indicating the commencement of a new era in bolstering the naval prowess of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Furthermore, Kim Jong Un took the time to inspect the submarine personally, which was in the process of prepping for a test voyage. KCNA quoted Kim emphasizing the urgency of equipping the navy with nuclear weapons and accelerating the incorporation of vessels outfitted with tactical nuclear weapons to bolster the navy’s strategic capabilities.

Analysts’ Insights and Future Prospects

The development of this new submarine didn’t occur in isolation. Analysts had noticed indications of at least one such vessel being constructed as far back as 2016. Moreover, in 2019, state media released images of Kim inspecting an unreported submarine, developed with his direct oversight and intended to operate in the eastern coastal waters.

However, many specifics regarding the submarine’s armament remain unclear, including the exact types of missiles it will house. Over the years, North Korea has conducted several tests involving long-range submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), short-range SLBMs and cruise missiles capable of being deployed from submarines. Despite this, the precise details of the submarine’s weapon systems and inspection timelines remained undisclosed in the media reports.

Furthermore, questions linger regarding North Korea’s ability to develop miniaturized nuclear warheads apt for fitting on such missiles, with experts suggesting that achieving proficiency in crafting smaller warheads could be a central focus if nuclear testing resumes in the region. Notably, while North Korea maintains a substantial submarine fleet, only the experimental ballistic missile submarine known as the 8.24 Yongung (August 24th Hero) has a known record of launching a missile.

Tal Inbar, a distinguished research fellow at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, commented on the submarine’s substantial sail, indicating its potential capacity to house both ballistic and cruise missiles. Reflecting on the developments, he anticipated that the submarine might soon be seen launching missiles, sharing his views on a platform formerly recognized as Twitter.

*Further news insights were sourced from Reuters.