Free Republic

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...

North Korea is possibly building a new submarine that can fire ballistic missiles, according to South Korean and U.S. defense officials, Friday. This could be a serious security threat to the United States as the submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) may reach as far as the U.S. mainland. "[SLBM technology] changes the defense equation in terms of where the origin could be," U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood said Wednesday (local time) in a Senate hearing. The SLBMs are considered more threatening weapons than intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), as they are harder to detect and increase the regime's strike...