North Korea has launched its first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine" and assigned it to the fleet that patrols the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan, state media said on Friday (September 8). It's the latest in a series of moves to boost the country's naval might.
The boat, named Hero Kim Kun Ok, has been assigned to the fleet that patrols the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan, North Korean outlets reported.
So what is the new vessel and what does its launch mean for the reclusive country's navy?
In a speech at the sub's launch ceremony, North Korean leader Kim Jung Un said it would become one of the main "underwater offensive means of the naval force".
North Korea's navy has historically been dwarfed by its land forces, and overshadowed by its rapidly advancing ballistic missile program.
But over the past year it has moved to boost its navy with new nuclear weapons, including an underwater drone and warships.
Analysts say the new vessel appears to be a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine, which North Korea acquired from China in the 1970s and began producing domestically.
Shin Seung-ki is a research fellow at the Korea Institute For Defense Analyses and says it is expected to carry tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, but may face limitations.
"Because it has excessively modified the existing Romeo-class submarine, there may be some limitations in immediately operating it compared to the existing one. However, there is a possibility that North Korea has strengthened the internal structure in some way to ensure operation. In that regard, while there may be limitations, it is likely that they will continue to develop it to a level where it can be operated at some point in the future."
Such weapons won't add much value to land-based nuclear forces, added former U.S. government weapons expert Vann Van Diepen who works with Washington-based 38 North.
That's because the ageing submarine at the core of the design is relatively slow and noisy, with a limited range.
Combined, these factors mean it may not survive long in a war, and would be vulnerable to anti-submarine warfare, he said.
South Korea's military said that the submarine didn't appear ready for normal operations, and that there were signs North Korea was attempting to exaggerate its capabilities.
North Korea's navy has about 470 surface vessels and around 70 submarines.
In August, Kim inspected a new Amnok-class corvette, a patrol ship that state media said was capable of firing nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
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