Images suggest N.Korea building ballistic subs

NHK - TV Japanese national TV network ^ | NHK - TV Japanese national TV network

[AmericanInTokyo]

US researchers say satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to deploy a ballistic missile-capable submarine.

Researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and satellite operator Planet Labs have told NHK that they have analyzed images of a shipyard in the eastern port city of Sinpo.

On September 3 at least 13 pillar-like objects could be seen along a quay, with some vehicles moving around.

Images taken on September 12 show the construction of a large structure straddling the quay and the water.

The most recent images from Thursday, show the structure covering almost the entire quay.

The researchers say the structure is now about 100 meters long, which is much longer than what is used to build North Korea's conventional submarines.

They say Pyongyang may be preparing to launch a new submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles.

Senior Research Associate David Schmerler says the structure could be used for the maintenance and development of submarines, and drive the country's submarine-launched ballistic missile program.

[AmericanInTokyo]

For comment or additional information.

[2ndDivisionVet]

North Korea can’t build their own subway cars but you expect me to believe that they’re constructing one of the most complex machines on Earth? Pull the other one, it has bells on it.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Ballistic subs”!? Do they have rockets big enough to launch a submarine?

[AmericanInTokyo]

북한 영변 핵과학연구단지 인근에서 지하 시설로 연결되는 것으로 보이는 터널들의 존재가 구체적으로 확인됐다고 미국의 북한전문매체 38노스가 19일(현지시간) 밝혔다. 38노스는 영변 핵단지 인근에서 기존에 알려지지 않았던 지하 시설의 존재가 터널 입구 및 흙더미 모습 등을 통해 이번 새로 확인됐다고 설명했다. 또 이 지하 시설의 용도가 무엇인지는 아직 확실하지 않지만, 추후 사찰팀의 조사 대상이 될 만하다고 지적했다. 38노스는 북한이 영변 핵시설 이외의 우라늄농축시설을 가지고 있을 것으로 전문가들이 오래전부터 의심해왔으며 일부는 지하 시설의 존재를 주장하기도 했다면서, 2013년에는 한 탈북자가 북한 약산동대 등에 지하시설이 있다는 주장을 제기한 적도 있다고 밝혔다. 또 최근에는 중앙일보가 영변핵단지 북동쪽 분강에 지하 고농축f 우라늄 (HEU)시설이 있다고 보도하기도 했지만 구체적으로 증거가 제시되지는 않았다고 지적했다. (Donga Ilbo Daily 20 Sept 2019 source)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Underground tunnels discovered at Yangbyon, but will post the Sinpo port story for SLBM works continuing , Orr above

[AmericanInTokyo]

Link to the NHK TV report today on the sat intel gained recently re: Sinpo port in NK. Since there is no agreement in place on this, it's not if they are cheating per se but it certainly shows they are not to be trusted and anybody who does so is pretty foolish:

北朝鮮 ＳＬＢＭ搭載可能の新型潜水艦 進水へ準備か | NHKニュース https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190920/k10012090981000.html

[AmericanInTokyo]

Japanese title they themselves rendered it in English, not mine. However, I’ve just read the Japanese version (posted below) and it says “SLBM ballistic missile-capable new type of submarine suspected under development in North Korea “. Thanks.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Were that that was the case. Sigh.

[AmericanInTokyo]

A new-type submarine first seen at an on-the-spot guidance by North Korea leader Kim Jong Un last week is believed to be capable of carrying three submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), South Korea’s defense ministry was reported to have said Wednesday. In an assessment shared during a closed-door briefing by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to members of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, officials were said to believe the submarine will be deployed soon. “The new North Korean submarine is seen as capable of carrying three SLBMs,” committee chief Lee Hye-hoon told press, in comments carried by local media.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Source: Navy Recognition 1 August 2019

““The new North Korean submarine could be the Sinpo class submarine, also called the Gorae or Pongdae class, a new class of submarine fully produced in North Korea. North Korea has developed only one sea-launched ballistic missile, known as the Bukkeukseong-1 also called Pukkuksong-1 or Pukguksong-1, or Polaris-1. The missile is a two-stage, solid-fuel missile designed to be carried on a single Sinpo-class submarine. The submarine only has one missile tube. North Korea has performed a test-fired with the Bukkeukseong-1 SLBM from near the eastern port city of Sinpo, on August 24, 2016. The missile traveled about 500 kilometers before falling in Japan's air defense identification zone in the Sea of Japan. According to military sources, North Korea Navy is one of the world’s largest submarine fleets, with an estimated fleet from about 64 to 86 submarines. North Korea maintains approximately 40 Sang-O-class coastal submarines (SCC), 20 Romeo-class conventional submarines (SS), 20 Yugo- and Yono-class midget submarines (SSM), and a single diesel-electric ballistic missile submarine (SSB) known as the Gorae-class.”

[Widget Jr]

This is most likely the North Korean Romeo class conversion the DPRK has been working on for years. It is similar to the 1950s diesel electric powered Golf SSBNs. So far North Korea does not have a reliable warhead, or nuclear capable missile, let alone having put the two together.

[dp0622]

So let’s keep waiting! :)

[TXnMA]

I haven't spotted the construction listed in your article, but I've been keeping an eye on what appears to be DPRK's lone "Gorae"-class Diesel missile boat -- in its own pen at Sinpo -- for quite a while. Its cordinates are:

Latitude: 40.025417°
Longitude: 128.165598°

The screw appears to have been removed, but you can often see the shadow of the sail on the dock, indicating a fairly tall sail...

I've read reports that the vertical launch tube is in the aft end of the sail, but that doesn't sound too practical to me...

TXnMA
  

[txnativegop]

it would only dive once and never resurface.

[Widget Jr]

Given her age she may not need any help from the South Koreans or Japanese to make that happen.

[free_life]

Closeup of submarine complex.

[VTenigma]

I was thinking that myself. After sea trials it would deploy and never be heard from again.

[zeestephen]

Sub launched nukes?

Why bother with the time and expense?

Just launch drones from cargo ships with a tactical nuke attached.

Flying low and slow, they are very hard to see on radar, and even harder to shoot down, especially in an urban area.

[New Jersey Realist]

Kim is just trying to out-Trump Trump to get a leg up in future negotiations.

[AmericanInTokyo]

They have a fleet of 300. Built mostly by China. They flew some of these to test US air defenses there (THAAD) , flew one near the ROK Blue House (their White House) and other provocations. They would/could load with WMD.