To counter the growing naval power of the US, North Korea has brought out its new nuclear attack submarine, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Friday.
The submarine was developed by North Korea with the intention of building a nuclear navy to counter the United States along with its Asian allies.
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What is Hero Kim Kun Ok?
The submarine launched by North Korea is known as “Hero Kim Kun Ok”. It is designed to be able to launch tactical nuclear weapons from under the sea. Although this is known for now, the number of missiles it can carry and fire is not yet known.
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean President has expressed immense satisfaction that North Korea has acquired its own nuclear attack submarine to counter the advanced naval assets of the United States.
Leader Kim Jong Un said the milestone was indeed crucial in his attempts to develop a nuclear navy to counter the United States, along with its Asian allies.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the ship was designed to launch tactical nuclear weapons underwater. However, the number of missiles the ship can carry is not yet known.
Are there doubts about his abilities?
South Korean officials show skepticism that the submarine will actually function as North Korea has described it. It was further stated that he was not actually ready for operational duty.
Based on Kim Jong Un’s comments and photos, it can be said that the submarine is likely the same one that Kim inspected in 2019 when it was being built. During that time, experts said the construction was an attempt to transform the existing Romeo-class submarine.
An expert from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace stated that “this submarine, although heavily modified, is based on technology of Soviet origin from the 1950s and will have inherent limitations. However, in terms of complicating the targeting challenges that the US and its allies will face, the submarine will serve North Korea’s purposes.”
Relations between North Korea and the United States
A nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine was docked in South Korea by the United States for the first time since the 1980s, as tensions between North Korea and the United States rose.
Other nuclear projects
Hero Kim Kun Ok is one, but North Korea is also working on other projects including a nuclear-powered submarine. The country intends to refit the submarines and surface vessels it has. All such tasks are performed to handle nuclear weapons.
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Source: vcmp.edu.vn