North Korea has recently unveiled its inaugural operational “tactical nuclear armed attack submarine,” deploying it to patrol the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, as reported by state media. Leader Kim Jong Un emphasized during the launch ceremony that this submarine, named “Hero Kim Kun Ok” in honor of a historical North Korean figure and designated as Submarine No. 841, will play a pivotal role in North Korea’s naval offensive capabilities.
Kim Jong Un further outlined intentions of North Korea to convert other existing submarines into nuclear – armed submarine , underscoring the nation’s commitment to bolstering its naval forces.
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North Korea
In a speech, the North Korean leader stressed the urgency of rapidly advancing their naval capabilities in response to perceived aggressive actions and military maneuvers by adversaries, with an implied reference to the United States and South Korea.
Hirokazu Matsuno
Japan swiftly condemned North Korea’s military activities, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno asserting, “North Korea’s military maneuvers now pose a more immediate and severe threat to our nation’s security than in the past.”
North Korea has about 20 Romeo-class submarines, powered by diesel-electric engines but obsolete by modern standards. In 2019 state media showed Kim Jong Un inspecting a previously unreported submarine built under “his special attention” that would operate off the east coast. North Korea possesses a significant submarine fleet, but we can confirm that only the experimental ballistic missile submarine, 8.24 Yongung, has launched a missile.