The DPRK recently announced that it had successfully tested a new type of strategic cruise missile, which has attracted the attention of the international community. This missile, which is launched not from land, but from underwater, shows a new development in the technology of submarine-launched ** from North Korean submarines. This has an important impact on the situation on the Korean peninsula and on regional security.
The development of North Korea's submarine launches.
North Korea's submarine-launched** can be divided into two main categories: submarine-launched ballistic missiles and submarine-launched cruise missiles. The former is mainly used for strategic deterrence, and the latter is mainly used for tactical strikes.
North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles, represented by the Polaris family, have been tested several times since 2016 and have been demonstrated several times at military parades. The range and power of these missiles continue to increase, from 500 kilometers for the "Polaris"-1 to 2000 kilometers for the "Polaris"-5, and they can carry nuclear warheads, posing a threat to places such as South Korea, Japan and the United States. North Korea is also working on a more advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile, called the Polaris-6, which is said to have a range of up to 4,000 kilometers and can cover parts of the continental United States.
North Korea's submarine-launched cruise missile is a recent achievement, and its representative model is the "Rocket-3-31". This missile is characterized by its low flight altitude, high speed, high maneuverability, and difficulty in being detected and intercepted. According to North Korean official reports, the missile has a range of up to 1,800 kilometers, can carry a nuclear warhead, and has a powerful strike effect on various targets.
The significance of the DPRK's underwater strategic strike capability.
North Korea's development of its underwater strategic strike capability is aimed at strengthening its nuclear deterrent and countering military pressure from the United States and South Korea. The DPRK believes that nuclear weapons are the most effective means of guaranteeing its sovereignty and sovereignty, so it is constantly improving the types and quantities of its nuclear missiles. North Korea's nuclear strategy is aimed at achieving "minimal nuclear deterrence," that is, achieving maximum deterrence with the least amount of nuclear power.
The DPRK's increased underwater strategic strike capability has made its nuclear deterrent more diverse and reliable. On the one hand, SLBMs and SLBMs can complement each other to form different strike methods and capabilities. The advantages of SLBMs are long range, strong penetration capability, and high suddenness of hitting targets, but they require preparation time before launch, are easy to be detected after launch, and have a ballistic trajectory. The advantages of submarine-launched cruise missiles are low flight altitude, high speed, high maneuverability, and difficulty in being detected and intercepted, but the range is relatively short and the strike accuracy is relatively low. The combination of the two can form a stronger deterrent effect, making it difficult for the adversary to guard against.
On the other hand, underwater strategic strike capabilities can increase the survivability of the DPRK and reduce the risk of its nuclear destruction **. Although North Korea's land-based nuclear missiles are numerous, most of them are fixed or semi-stationary launch platforms, which are easily detected by reconnaissance satellites and drones of the United States and South Korea, and may be preemptively struck in the event of a conflict. Underwater nuclear missiles, on the other hand, can take advantage of the vastness and complexity of the ocean to conceal their location and intentions, increase the uncertainty and fear of the adversary, and thus improve their nuclear counterattack capabilities.
The impact of the DPRK's underwater strategic strike capability.
The enhancement of the DPRK's underwater strategic strike capability has an important impact on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and regional security. First, it has intensified the military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula and made a peaceful settlement on the Peninsula more difficult. North Korea's nuclear and missile tests have provoked a strong reaction from the United States and South Korea, leading to escalating military exercises and sanctions on both sides, and raising tensions on the peninsula. The United States and South Korea have been demanding that North Korea unconditionally give up its nuclear **, while North Korea has insisted that the United States and South Korea cease their hostile policies and military threats against them. There are huge differences in the positions of the two sides, and it is difficult to find effective channels for dialogue and communication.
Second, it has changed the strategic balance in the region, posing new challenges to the security of the United States and its allies. North Korea's underwater strategic strike capability allows it to threaten and strike at important targets of the United States and its allies, thereby weakening U.S. military superiority and influence in the Asia-Pacific region. In response to the North Korean nuclear threat, the United States and its allies have had to strengthen their military deployments and defense capabilities in the region, thereby increasing military competition and confrontation in the region. This could also affect the relationship between the United States and its allies with other major powers such as China and Russia, threatening the strategic stability of the region.
Finally, it enhances North Korea's international status and influence, allowing it to play a greater role in international affairs. North Korea's underwater strategic strike capability has made it a country with nuclear weapons and advanced missiles, thereby enhancing its voice and bargaining power in the international community. The DPRK can use its nuclear deterrent to pursue its interests on the issue of peace on the peninsula, and it can also use its nuclear deterrent to participate in other major regional and global issues.
In short, the enhancement of North Korea's underwater strategic strike capability is an important part of its nuclear deterrent force and an effective means of countering the pressure of the United States and South Korea. This has an important impact on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and regional security, intensified the military confrontation on the peninsula, changed the strategic balance in the region, and enhanced the international status and influence of the DPRK. The North Korean nuclear issue needs to be handled more carefully and responsibly to avoid a nuclear catastrophe.