North Korea has a submarine capable of launching nuclear weapons – North Korea says Antarctica ice is melting – but it’s not too late

The self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea has said it has launched a new type of submarine for tactical nuclear weapons attacks. The submarine will fulfill its “combat mission as one of the core elements of offensive underwater vehicles,” ruler Kim Jong-un said Friday through state-controlled media.

Equipping the navy with nuclear weapons should be promoted in the future. After participating in the launch ceremony on Wednesday, Kim inspected submarine number 841 “Hero (Hero) Kim Kun Ok” before the first test run a day later.

The construction of such a submarine is seen in connection with Kim’s goal of expanding his country’s nuclear capabilities. Pyongyang’s goal is to have the full spectrum of nuclear weapons and missiles. North Korea is subject to international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program. Kim recently said the Navy should become “part of the government’s nuclear deterrent.”

It remained unclear how many missiles the new submarine could carry and fire. According to South Korean media reports, initial images released by North Korea’s KCNA news agency revealed ten launch tubes that could be intended for so-called submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). The country is prohibited by UN decrees from launching or testing ballistic missiles. Depending on the design, such missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads. (sda/dpa)