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North Korean submarine Hero Kim Kun Ok

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History
North Korea
NameHero Kim Kun Ok
NamesakeKim Kun Ok
BuilderSinpo South shipyard
Launched6 September 2023
Commissioned7 September 2023
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeSinpo-C-class submarine
Length86 m (282 ft 2 in)
Armament
North Korean submarine Hero Kim Kun Ok
Chosŏn'gŭl
김군옥영웅함
Hancha
Revised RomanizationGim Gunok Yeongungham
McCune–ReischauerKim Kunok Yŏngungham

Hero Kim Kun Ok (Korean: 김군옥영웅함) or Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine No. 841, is a Sinpo-C-class submarine operated by the Korean People's Navy. It is a modification of the Romeo-class submarine, of which 20 are under operation by North Korea.[1] The "nuclear" in its designation refers to its projected armament; it is diesel-, not nuclear-powered.

The submarine was launched on 6 September 2023 as Hero Kim Kun Ok and christened and commissioned on the next day with both events attended by Kim Jong-un as chief guest, and she was promoted by North Korean media as the "first of its kind" designed for "core underwater offensive means".[2][1]

Background

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In August 2016, the existence of a modern class of submarine, designated the Sinpo class was determined after the launch of a KN-11 ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.[3]

Subsequently, in 2019, satellite imagery of a modified Romeo-class submarine of about 3,000 tons displacement was shown to be under construction at Sinpo South shipyard.[4][5] Analysis by 38 North indicates that it has been in the construction warehouse as early as 2014.[6] Kim Jong-un visited the site of construction, deemed the Pongdae submarine factory in 2019, and declared that a "new era" for the Korean People's Navy was arriving within a span of "five to ten years".[1] Prior to the formal ceremony, the NIS noted that Russia proposed a joint naval exercise with North Korea and China in late July 2023.[2]

Despite its designation by North Korea as a "Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine", it is neither an attack submarine, designed for hunting hostile submarines, nor is it nuclear-powered. The design may even lack torpedo tubes altogether. Instead its designation refers to its projected armament, of perhaps up to 10 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.[7]

With 20 Romeo-class subs in the inventories of the North Korean navy, Kim described as a "rapid improvement of our national defense capabilities with nuclear deterrence as the core", with a long-term plan of modifying the rest of the Romeo subs.[6]

Launching

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The naming and launching ceremony of the submarine occurred at Sinpo shipyard on 6 September 2023, subsequently announced two days later on North Korean state media. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event. It was to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of North Korea on 9 September 1948.[1][8] The ship was named after a naval leader Kim Kun Ok, who claimed to have sunk the American cruiser USS Baltimore in the Battle of Chumonchin Chan, despite the fact that Baltimore was never deployed to the Korean War and was in fact, decommissioned and mothballed in 1947.[9][10]

Armament

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Israeli missile researcher, Tal Inbar, said to NK News that the newly upgraded submarine can carry a combination of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. James Martin Center associate Dave Schmerler observed from the state media photos that the submarine has four large and six small missile hatches, the large ones capable of launching medium SLBMs like the Pukguksong-3[1] capable of striking short-ranged targets in Japan and South Korea.[11] It is unclear whether North Korea has developed the warheads required for such weapons.[11] North Korea's possession and testing of such weapons is a violation of nine United Nations Security Council resolutions.[12]

It is also presumed that the sub is capable of launching an unmanned underwater vehicle designated the "Haeil", unveiled in March 2023.[2]

Future analysis of the sub upon public announcement indicates that the length of the sub has been increased by 10 meters (32 ft 10 in) in length (86 m, 282 ft 2 in total) compared to the original length and configuration of the original Romeo sub, at the offset of a reduced bow, removal of the forward torpedo tubes, and a bulky sail that increases drag.[5][13]

Operational history

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North Korean State Media stated the submarine was intended to operate in the Sea of Japan.[14]

Responses

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In an interview by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, one official raised question about the sub's capabilities, and that additional monitoring in coordination with the United States will continue in order to respond to provocations.[clarification needed][2][1]

South Korean commentators stated that the sub "does not look to be operational", that Pyongyang were "exaggerating the submarine’s capabilities" which "could not be operated normally", and that the project was "squandering [North Korea's] scarce resources into its futile weapons development while disregarding living difficulties of its people".[1][15]

The age of the Romeo-class design, first produced by the Soviet Union in 1957, raised questions as to the submarine's effectiveness if it were ever employed. Former US Government expert Vann Van Diepen described it as "noisy, slow, and having limited range." Joseph Dempsey, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, described it as having "fundamental limitations and vulnerabilities."[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Zwirko, Colin (7 September 2023). "North Korea launches new 'nuclear attack submarine': State media | NK News". NK News. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Minji, Lee (8 September 2023). "(3rd LD) N. Korea unveils new 'tactical nuclear attack submarine'". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  3. ^ LaGrone, Sam (23 October 2016). ""North Korea Fires Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile"". USNI News. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  4. ^ "N.Korea 'Building New Ballistic Missile Submarine'". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Liu, Jack; Makowsky, Peter; Town, Jenny (12 April 2019). "North Korea's Sinpo South Shipyard: Submarine Shipbuilding Continuing at Slow Pace - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b Diepen, Vann H. Van (11 September 2023). "The Sleeper Has Awakened: Six Key Takeaways From the Rollout of North Korea's "Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine" - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  7. ^ Sutton, H. I. (7 September 2023). "North Korea's New Submarine Carries 10 Nuclear Missiles". Naval News.
  8. ^ "North Korea says it has deployed a new nuclear attack submarine to counter US naval power". AP News. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ^ Kim, Min Joo (7 September 2023). "North Korea says it has produced a 'tactical nuclear attack submarine'". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Baltimore V (CA-68)". NHHC. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  11. ^ a b Smith, Josh; Choi, Soo-Hyang (8 September 2023). "North Korea unveils first tactical, nuclear-armed submarine". Reuters. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  12. ^ "UN Security Council Resolutions on North Korea | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  13. ^ "H I Sutton - Covert Shores". www.hisutton.com. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  14. ^ "N Korea heralds 'new chapter' with 'tactical nuclear attack' submarine". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  15. ^ "North Korea launches new 'tactical nuclear attack submarine'". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 8 September 2023.
  16. ^ "North Korea: Kim Jong Un reveals 'nuclear attack submarine'". BBC News. 8 September 2023.
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