North Korea: Kim builds a submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles 1900km
North Korean efforts to mount missiles, and possibly nuclear warheads, on submarines appear to have succeeded.
North Korea is building a submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles in a breakthrough that will give Kim Jong-un confidence in his ability to deter an American attack, according to the South Korean spy agency.
The National Intelligence Service told MPs in the south that North Korea was developing two submarines, one a conventional medium-sized vessel and a larger one that is capable of firing ballistic missiles.
This is consistent with evidence from spy satellites, as well as public announcements in North Korea, that show the country has been working for several years to mount its ballistic missiles, and possibly nuclear warheads, on submarines.
READ MORE: North Korea puts ‘world’s biggest’ ICBM on parade | Kim apologises for shooting | Nukes would keep me safe: Kim |
In October last year, North Korea test fired a sea-launched missile, the Pukguksong-3, from a submerged platform. The missile has a range of 1900km putting South Korea and Japan within striking distance. The missile could be launched from off a distant coast to strike at another country’s heartland. Last month Pyongyang rolled out a new submarine launched ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-4, at a military parade. There is no evidence that the latest weapon or its engine have been tested.
The reliable ability to fire from a submarine would give North Korea so-called second-strike capacity, the ability to fight back after a nuclear attack on its own territory that might have destroyed ground-based missiles.
“One of the submarines North Korea is building can carry a submarine-launched ballistic missile,” Ha Tae-keung, an opposition party MP on the South Korean parliament’s intelligence committee, told Reuters.
“One is a modified Romeo-class and the other is a new medium-large sized one.”
The intelligence briefing for MPs also touched on the personal life of the supreme leader, who is thought to be 36 years old.
Kim’s health speculation
The intelligence service believes that, although he is obese, Mr Kim is in relatively good health. This is despite feverish speculation over his welfare after he disappeared from view for several weeks this year and a considerable gain in weight since he came to power at the end of 2011.
“He has become very overweight, but there’s no other sign of abnormality regarding his health,” one MP said.
“He was 90kg [200lbs] in August 2012, gained 6kg on average per year, and now is around 140kg. But he is young, so obesity is not a huge problem.”
The spies also contradicted speculation that the absence from public events of Mr Kim’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, meant that she had lost power.
“Kim Yo-jong is handling not only foreign policy and national security, but also has led plans for the party founding anniversary celebrations [last month],” the MP said.
“For a couple of months, she stopped accompanying Kim Jong-un, but it wasn’t that she did nothing during the time.
“She was separately overseeing pending matters, like anti-epidemic projects and flood recovery projects.”
The Times
More Coverage
Cissy Houston: soul singer who shepherded daughter Whitney’s career
Grammy-winning soul singer who backed everyone from Elvis to Aretha before shepherding her daughter Whitney’s career
End game? Appeasing Iran will only lead to a wider regional war
After pounding Hezbollah, Israel must attack the Iran’s nuclear sites. Appeasement doesn’t prevent war, it ensures a conflict that’s infinitely more terrible than it might otherwise have been.