North Korea planning to launch new missile submarine: Reports

North Korea may be preparing to launch a new submarine believed to be capable of firing ballistic missiles, a US-based think tank reported on Thursday, citing commercial satellite imagery. Images of the Sinpo South Shipyard, on the east coast of the country, from September 18 revealed six barges and vessels gathered around the construction hall quay, said 38 North, which monitors North Korea.

"While barges and a dry dock have been occasionally observed around the submarine launch quay at the main construction hall, the presence of six vessels and barges in this area has not been observed before," said the report.

Analysts first spotted signs that at least one new submarine was being built in 2016, and in 2019 state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a previously unreported submarine that was built under "his special attention" and that would be operational in the waters off the east coast.

Nothing was known at the time about the submarine's weapons systems or where and when the inspection took place. Analysts said the apparent size of the new vessel indicated it was designed to carry missiles. North Korea has a large submarine fleet but only one known experimental submarine capable of carrying a ballistic missile.

Analysts are unsure whether the apparent new missile submarine is a new design, or whether it is based on a modified Romeo Class of submarine originally acquired from China in the 1970s before North Korea began producing them domestically.

North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in May from near Sinpo, where North Korea keeps submarines as well as equipment for test-firing SLBMs. Observers say North Korea has made preparations to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, amid stalled denuclearisation talks.

(With inputs from agencies)