On Friday, official media said North Korea launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine” and assigned it to the force that patrols the Korean peninsula-Japan waterways.

Submarine No. 841, Hero Kim Kun Ok, after a North Korean historical hero, will be one of North Korea’s major “underwater offensive means of the naval force” during the launch ceremony on Wednesday, Kim Jong Un stated.

Analysts say that North Korea got a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine from China in the 1970s and started constructing it domestically. Analysts believed it had ballistic and cruise missiles because of its ten launch tube hatches.

According to Vann Van Diepen, a former U.S. government weapons specialist working with the 38 North project in Washington, such weapons won’t add much value to the North’s stronger land-based nuclear arsenal since its submarines may not survive as long in conflict.

“When field deployed, it’s vulnerable to allied anti-submarine warfare,” he warned. “I think from a hard-headed military standpoint this doesn’t make sense.”

Kim pledged additional subsurface and surface boats with tactical nuclear weapons for the navy during the launch ceremony, KCNA said.

“The submarine-launching ceremony heralded the beginning of a new chapter for bolstering up the naval force of the DPRK,” KCNA added.

Kim said that North Korea would convert additional submarines into nuclear-armed boats and expedite its nuclear submarine program.

“Achieving a rapid development of our naval forces… is a priority that cannot be delayed given… the enemies’ recent aggressive moves and military acts,” the North Korean leader added, probably alluding to the US and South Korea.

UN Security Council resolutions forbid North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and South Korea and Japan condemned the submarine launch.

“North Korea’s military activity is posing graver and more imminent threat to our country’s security than before,” said Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Nuclear Submarine Attack

Choi Il, a retired South Korean submarine captain, said the “tactical” designation suggests it carries smaller, short-range SLBMs or SLCMs that can strike South Korea, Japan, or other regional targets.

The submarine’s sail, the tower on top of the hull, was extended, and ten vertical launch tubes, four big and six tiny, were fitted, possibly for SLBMs and SLCMs.

North Korea tested SLBMs and SLCMs.

Whether North Korea has completely produced miniaturized nuclear warheads for such rockets is unknown. If the North restarts nuclear testing, analysts expect it to focus on smaller weapons.

North Korea operates roughly 20 diesel-electric Romeo-class submarines, which are antiquated and solely used for training.

Analysts initially saw evidence of a new submarine being created in 2016, and in 2019, official media showed Kim examining a submarine built under “his special attention” for east coast use.

At the time, state media did not specify the submarine’s weapons systems or where and when the inspection occurred, but observers claimed its size suggested it might carry missiles.

North Korea’s vast submarine fleet has only launched one missile, the experimental ballistic missile submarine 8.24 Yongung (August 24th Hero).

The launch follows rumors that Kim may visit Russia this month to meet Putin to discuss weapons deliveries to Moscow and North Korea’s 75th anniversary on Saturday.

On Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta and requested Beijing to do more as a U.N. Security Council member to confront North Korea’s nuclear threat.