South Korea expresses scepticism over capability of remodelled Soviet-era vessel that was unveiled on Wednesday
Photos released Friday with the state media report show that the submarine has 10 vertical missile launch tubes of two different sizes, said Yang Uk, a weapons expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. It has an “abnormally large” missile launch deck for its size, as if the North wanted to show off its nuclear force, Mr Yang said.
The submarine is powered by a diesel engine. That means that, unlike a nuclear-powered submarine, it would have to resurface frequently during a long-distance trip, like crossing the Pacific. For a distant adversary like the United States, that makes it more detectable, and less of a threat, than a nuclear-powered sub.
The new submarine – named Hero Kim Kun Ok, after a naval officer who fought in the Korean War – was unveiled days ahead of the 75th anniversary of the North’s founding, on Saturday. North Korea often celebrates its big holidays by staging a military parade or unveiling or testing new weapons.
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