Military: North Korean Submarines Unable to Operate Normally

Tracking Signs of Deception or Exaggeration

Military authorities announced regarding North Korea's launch of a new tactical nuclear attack submarine that "it is judged not to be in a condition to be operated normally."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) official told reporters on the day, "Our military assesses that North Korea held a submarine launching ceremony at Sinpo Shipyard in South Hamgyong Province on the 6th under the supervision of Kim Jong-un," adding this statement.

He explained, "Based on the analysis of the exterior of the North Korean submarine so far, it appears that the conning tower and some external shapes and sizes were increased to accommodate missiles," but "it is judged not to be in a condition to be operated normally." He also said, "There are signs of deception or exaggeration, which we are examining."

The JCS official added, "The military has been tracking North Korea's submarine launching activities in advance through combined surveillance assets under South Korea-U.S. cooperation," and "while closely cooperating with the U.S., we are closely monitoring the additional activities of the publicly revealed submarine and will maintain a firm readiness posture based on the capability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocations."

North Korea announced that on the day before the 75th anniversary of the regime's founding, it constructed the first tactical nuclear attack submarine capable of underwater nuclear strikes, named 'Kim Kun-ok Hero Ship' (No. 841).

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