North Korea launches new 'tactical nuclear attack submarine'
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Transcript
00:00 It's the latest step in North Korea's plans to develop its nuclear-armed arsenal.
00:06 On Friday, state media reported Pyongyang launched a nuclear-attacked submarine that
00:10 has been in the works for years.
00:13 In these images, leader Kim Jong-un is seen inspecting the vessel and addressing the audience
00:18 at the launching ceremony.
00:20 During his speech, he expressed his satisfaction with the latest military addition, while adding
00:25 the country is also pursuing a nuclear-propelled submarine.
00:30 This latest development comes after months of various land and submarine-based missile
00:34 launches from North Korea, including two ICBM tests on July 25th.
00:40 Pyongyang is looking to develop its ability to conduct strikes from underwater, which
00:44 in theory would bolster its deterrent by ensuring it would be able to retaliate against any
00:49 nuclear attack.
00:51 Nuclear-powered missile submarines would also add a maritime threat to the North's growing
00:55 collection of solid-fuel weapons fired from land vehicles that are designed to overwhelm
01:01 missile defences in South Korea and Japan.
01:05 Friday's report also comes amid speculation that Kim Jong-un is preparing for an upcoming
01:10 visit to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
01:14 Since closing his country's borders in early 2020 to guard against the COVID-19 pandemic,
01:19 the North Korean leader hasn't met any foreign counterpart.
01:23 It is believed that the meeting between the two internationally isolated heads of state
01:28 could focus on North Korean arms sales to refill Russian reserves drained by the war
01:33 in Ukraine.
01:34 According to analysts, in exchange for providing Moscow with arsenal, Pyongyang could seek
01:40 economic aid as well as advanced weapons technologies.