SEOUL - North Korea has launched a newly built "tactical nuclear attack submarine" capable of carrying out an underwater nuclear attack, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "further strengthen the state nuclear deterrence," the North's state media said Friday.
The launching ceremony for the submarine, held Wednesday, was attended by the North Korean leader ahead of the country's 75th founding anniversary, which falls on Saturday, Yonhap news agency cited the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Named the Hero Kim Kun Ok, the tactical nuclear attack submarine No. 841 -- the first of its kind -- will "perform its combat mission as one of the core underwater offensive means of the naval force" of the North.
"The fact that the nuclear attack submarine, considered a symbol of invasion against our republic for decades, now symbolises our power that terrifies the shameless enemies and that it is a new attack submarine of our own style unseen by the world, is truly something welcomed by all our people," Kim said during his speech.
Calling it an "urgent task of the times" to arm the navy with nuclear weapons, Kim urged the swift transfer of "underwater and surface vessels equipped with tactical nuclear weapons" to the Navy.
He also announced the country's plans to build more submarines, including a nuclear-powered submarine.
He then stressed that the rapid development of the naval force is the "top priority" for national defence, given the geopolitical situation, as well as "recent aggressive attempts by the enemies."
Initial photos released by the KCNA suggest the latest submarine is equipped with ten missile tubes that can likely fire submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), though the reclusive North has not provided any details.
A military source said the North appears to have modified a Romeo-class submarine, which is not capable of carrying an SLBM launcher.
The submarine is also presumed to be capable of launching the "Haeil," the North's first-ever nuclear-armed unmanned underwater vehicle unveiled last March.
An official in South Korea's military, however, raised questions about the capabilities of the North's new submarine.
"An analysis of the external features of the North Korean submarine so far shows that parts of it have been enlarged to carry a missile," an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told reporters.
"But it is assessed that (the submarine) is not in the form of being capable of normal operation," the official said, adding the military is looking into signs of the North's possible exaggeration. - BERNAMA