The Chosunilbo: DPRK building new submarine base

The Chosunilbo reported that the DPRK is building a new naval base at Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province for new 3,000-ton submarines that carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles, according to the Jane's Defence Weekly's report on Sunday.

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the defense weekly said the DPRK is building the facility just south of the Sinpo shipyard on the east coast.

It has two docks, each 137 m long and 13 m wide, capable of sheltering new 3,000-ton submarines that the DPRK is developing so that they can carry more than three SLBMs each.

The DPRK is currently developing missiles for 2,000-ton Sinpo-class submarines, which can carry only one SLBM.

The new naval base has steel structures over the docks and some concrete slabs to form the roofs of the docks to hide the subs, the weekly added.

A South Korean military spokesman said the North's new submarines have "not been identified" yet.

(THE CHOSUNILBO)