A submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launch reported by North Korean media on April 24, 2016.As North Korea officially announced the development of a nuclear-powered submarine (nuclear submarine), interest in the ROK Navy’s move to secure nuclear submarines is growing.
According to the Chosun Central News Agency on the 9th, North Korean Labor Party Chairman Kim Jong-un said, “The research on the design of a new nuclear submarine has been completed and is in the final stage of evaluation” through the report on the 8th Labor Party Conference on the last 5-7 days.
Considering that it has pledged to possess strategic underwater nuclear weapons along with nuclear submarines, it is also possible that it will be a’Ship Submarine Ballistic missile Nuclear (SSBN)’ equipped with a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on a uranium-based nuclear propulsion submarine. Is raised.
Nuclear submarines that use nuclear power as their power source are of great strategic value that cannot be compared with conventional submarines that use diesel engines. Once refueled first, the scope of operational activities will be greatly expanded since there is no need for additional refueling for many years. In addition, there is a long time to be active under the water without being injured on the surface. This is because oxygen can be made directly from seawater and supplied to the inside of the ship by utilizing the abundant power produced by the reactor. It is possible to stay in the water for long periods of time and to keep a close eye on North Korea’s submarine trends.
Another advantage is that compared to conventional submarines, the propulsion is much greater, so it can increase the size of the submarine. As the size of the submarine increases, it can carry a variety of armaments. It is likely that North Korea’s intention to possess a nuclear submarine is also intended to be used as a launch pad for a ballistic missile equipped with a nuclear warhead. In addition, the larger the submarine, the more indoor space for the crew can be expanded, reducing the fatigue of the crew. In addition, its speed is faster than that of conventional submarines, making it easier to track enemies or outrun enemies.
Because of these advantages, the Korean Navy is also pursuing securing nuclear submarines. Defense Minister Seo-wook said in a meeting at the National Assembly’s Defense Committee in November last year, “The nuclear-powered submarine is also considering the promotion.” In July of last year, Kim Hyun-jong, the second deputy chief of the National Security Office of the Blue House, said, “The next-generation submarines will be equipped with engines that use nuclear fuel.”
The introduction of a nuclear submarine is also a pledge of President Moon Jae-in. President Moon was reported to have explained the necessity of having a nuclear submarine in South Korea at a summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in the first year of his inauguration after mentioning the need in April 2017, when he was a candidate.
If it is to secure nuclear submarines, it is possible to make a 4000-ton submarine, which the Navy is currently planning to build after Jangbogo III-class (with a displacement of 3000 tons), as a nuclear submarine. Experts say that shipbuilding technology and nuclear reactor technology are already in place.
However, the obstacle is how to secure nuclear fuel. It is known that low-enriched uranium, which is enriched with up to 20% uranium, can be used as fuel for nuclear submarines. Low-enriched uranium is also imported in Korea because it is also used in nuclear power plants. However, the international community strictly prohibits the conversion of nuclear fuel into weapons. Therefore, it is impossible to use the low-enriched uranium imported for power generation in a nuclear submarine at the will of the Korean government. In the end, we have to persuade the United States, but we can only see if our government has that degree of diplomacy with the United States.
Neighboring countries such as Japan and China are likely to react sensitively to South Korea’s efforts to secure nuclear submarines.
[김동은 기자 / 연규욱 기자]
[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]