Time to keep a closer eye on Kim Jong-un’s submarines. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
Peter Brown, Asia Times: Will China provide sanctuary to North Korean submarines?
North Korea has one of the world's largest fleets of submarines
As Washington, Seoul and Tokyo fret about North Korea’s repeated firing of ballistic missiles into the skies of Northeast Asia, another part of Pyongyang’s arsenal has gone largely unnoticed because it’s under the ocean: Submarines.
Of course, submarines aren’t supposed to be noticed, which is what can make them such an effective stealth weapon.
North Korea does possesses a substantial underwater force, according to Terence Roehrig, professor of national security affairs and director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Group at the US Naval War College.
“By last count, they have 73 submarines which makes it one of the largest submarine fleets in the world,” said Roehrig via email.
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WNU Editor: North Korea's subs have limitations that will restrict any offensive action that they may decide to pursue near their coastal waters. But to operate and hide in waters that the Chinese considers theirs .... that will open a door to a lot of complications .... especially if North Korea succeeds in developing and fielding a submarine with ballistic missiles..
