NKorea Reveals ‘Tactical Nuclear Attack’ Submarine

Facts

• North Korea launched its first operational 'tactical nuclear attack submarine' on Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the event, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).¹
• Submarine 841, named 'Hero Kim Kun Ok,' is allegedly capable of launching nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, with Kim saying its 'equipped with a large number of nuclear delivery means' and capable of 'preemptive and retaliatory strikes against hostile countries.'²
• Analysts believe it's a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class vessel that appears to be powered with a diesel-electric engine but modified with a 10-missile launch tube compartment attached to its conning tower, possibly capable of launching ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.²
• US-based analyst Ankit Panda said that the new submarine developed by North Korea may not 'be revolutionary' but 'will increase the complexity' of North Korea's 'nuclear threat.' Meanwhile, South Korea alleges that the submarine doesn't appear to be functional.³
• North Korea has one of the world's largest submarine fleets, with an estimated 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines. But these are mostly vessels capable of launching torpedoes and mines, not missiles.⁴
• The launch of the submarine — which will reportedly be deployed between the Korean peninsula and Japan — comes as the nation is readying festivities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding day on Saturday.¹

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²CNN, ³The Guardian and ⁴France 24.

Narratives

• Pro-North Korea narrative, as provided by KCNA Watch. In the lead-up to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK, factory workers, scientists, and technicians presented the Korean-style tactical nuclear attack submarine, which heralds the beginning of a new chapter for bolstering North Korea's naval force and further strengthening its nuclear deterrence for regional and global security.
• Anti-North Korea narrative, as provided by The Guardian. Although there's little information about the new DPRK nuclear attack submarine, it bears clear signs of deception or exaggeration. It appears to be a conversion from an existing diesel-electric Romeo-class submarine, with only the potential nuclear attribute to launch nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, if it can even function. This is nothing more than North Korean posturing.

Predictions