US and South Korea Shake, North Korea Announces Accelerating Naval Nuclear Armament
September 9th is the 75th anniversary of North Korea's National Day. On the 8th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that as a tribute, North Korea's first tactical nuclear attack submarine, the "Jin Jun Yu Hero", was launched on the 6th. Many media outlets in the United States and South Korea believe that this news signifies that the North Korean maritime nuclear threat has become a reality.
On the 6th, during a speech at the launch ceremony of the new submarine, Kim Jong un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Council, stated that the "Kim Jun yu Hero" submarine will become one of the core underwater attack methods of the North Korean Navy. He said that the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea has decided to further accelerate the development of the shipbuilding industry, which is the most significant task that must be achieved. Kim Jong un also elaborated on the strategic and tactical concept of continuing to promote the navy's "nuclear weaponization".
Kim Jong un: North Korea to Accelerate Naval Nuclear Armament
According to reports, Kim Jong un also visited the submarine on the 7th and learned about its weapon system and stealth combat capabilities. Kim Jong un called for accelerating the transfer of surface and underwater vessels carrying tactical nuclear weapons to the navy.
South Korea's rendering of submarines "unable to serve" claims North Korea exaggerates facts
This news immediately shook the United States and South Korea. According to Yonhap News Agency, officials from the Joint Staff Headquarters of the South Korean military claimed on the morning of the 8th that after analyzing the appearance of North Korean submarines, the South Korean military concluded that the submarine appeared to have been modified to carry missiles, bridges, and other parts to expand space, but could not operate normally. The report states that the South Korean military is observing clues of North Korea's deception or exaggeration of facts. But the person also stated that the South Korean military will strengthen monitoring of the movements of North Korean submarines and maintain a defensive posture in response to North Korean provocations.
South Korean public opinion: The South Korean government's reversal towards the United States and Japan has led to tension on the Korean Peninsula
South Korea's public opinion also claims that this is the result of the complete reversal of diplomacy by the Yoon Seok yeol government towards the United States and Japan, leading to tension on the Korean Peninsula.
US media: Kim Jong un sends a deterrent signal to countries such as the United States and Japan
According to CNN, although there are doubts in South Korea and the United States about the submarine's ability to function properly, most experts believe that the submarine's launch will enable Kim Jong un to "send a deterrent signal" to hostile countries such as the United States and Japan, "indicating that North Korea's nuclear program is progressing and that North Korea will soon be able to carry out nuclear attacks from multiple directions."
The Associated Press also stated that North Korea has been developing a nuclear attack submarine for many years, which is a "crucial step" in building a nuclear armed navy to counter the United States and its Asian allies.
