Arming the navy with nuclear weapons is an urgent task, Kim said. He promised to transfer more ships equipped with tactical nuclear weapons to the Navy. “The ceremonial launch of the submarine marks the start of a new chapter in strengthening the DPRK’s naval power,” he said. KCNA.

North Korea plans to convert other existing submarines into nuclear-armed vessels and accelerate efforts to build nuclear-powered submarines, Kim said. “Achieving rapid development of our naval power is a priority that cannot be postponed due to the enemy’s recent aggressive moves and military actions,” the North Korean dictator said.

Submarine No. The 841, named after the North Korean historical figure, Hero Kim Kun-on, will carry out combat duties as “one of the main undersea attack assets” of the North Korean navy, Kim further said.

Analysts first saw signs that the DPRK was building at least one new submarine in 2016. Three years later, state media showed Kim inspecting a vessel intended for operations off the east coast. At the time, state media did not describe the submarine’s weapons systems or say where and when the inspections were carried out. Analysts concluded from the size of the new ship that it was designed to carry missiles.

According to the agency Reuters it is unclear which missiles the submarine will be armed with. North Korea has tested a number of long-range submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), as well as short-range SLBMs and submarine-launched cruise missiles.

It is also unclear whether the DPRK has fully developed a miniature nuclear warhead that could carry such a missile. Analysts say developing smaller warheads will likely be a primary goal if Pyongyang resumes nuclear testing.