North Korea launches new tactical nuclear attack submarine, state media reports
- The vessel has been assigned to the fleet that patrols the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who attended the launch, said arming the navy with nuclear weapons was an urgent task
“The submarine-launching ceremony heralded the beginning of a new chapter for bolstering up the naval force of the DPRK,” KCNA said, using the initials of the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Submarine No 841 – named Hero Kim Kun-ok after a North Korean historical figure – will perform its combat mission as “one of core underwater offensive means of the naval force” of North Korea, Kim said.
North Korea plans to turn its existing submarines into nuclear weapon-armed attack submarines, and accelerate its push to build nuclear-powered submarines, Kim said.
“Achieving a rapid development of our naval forces … is a priority that cannot be delayed given … the enemies’ recent aggressive moves and military acts,” the North Korean leader said in a speech, apparently referring to the United States and South Korea.
