Why Kim’s submarine visit leaves room for talks, but reflects hardening position



Analysis Why Kim’s submarine visit leaves room for talks, but reflects hardening position Apparent increased interest in arms buildup escalates pressure on U.S. while state media focuses on defense rather than offense Rachel Minyoung Lee July 23, 2019 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON KCNA Kim Jong Un’s tour of a “newly built submarine” at a submarine factory, reported by North Korean state media on July 23, marks Kim’s first appearance dedicated exclusively to a submarine since August 2016. Kim between May 2015 and August 2016 guided three “underwater test-launches of strategic submarine-launched ballistic missiles.” The North’s handling of Kim’s submarine inspection appears aimed at escalating pressure on the U.S. and boosting the morale of the military and the munitions sector at home, while at the same time leaving flexibility for continuing nuclear diplomacy with the U.S. It Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01New North Korean ICBM delivers big political message, and likely bigger payloads 02How North Korea-Russia ties will challenge next US president, no matter who wins 03What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won 04What to know about Kim Yong Bok, the man leading North Korean troops in Russia 05If Trump: How erratic leader’s reelection could scramble North Korea policy 06North Korea’s admission of drone incursion exposes glaring gaps in air defenses 07The war in Ukraine is transforming how Europe perceives North Korean threats 08What North Korea stands to gain by sending troops to fight in Ukraine 09Satellite imagery shows DPRK laid explosives at edge of MDL to destroy roads 10Deciphering the return of No Kwang Chol as North Korea’s minister of defense

Analysis

Why Kim’s submarine visit leaves room for talks, but reflects hardening position

Apparent increased interest in arms buildup escalates pressure on U.S. while state media focuses on defense rather than offense

Rachel Minyoung Lee July 23, 2019

Why Kim’s submarine visit leaves room for talks, but reflects hardening position

KCNA

Kim Jong Un’s tour of a “newly built submarine” at a submarine factory, reported by North Korean state media on July 23, marks Kim’s first appearance dedicated exclusively to a submarine since August 2016. Kim between May 2015 and August 2016 guided three “underwater test-launches of strategic submarine-launched ballistic missiles.”

The North’s handling of Kim’s submarine inspection appears aimed at escalating pressure on the U.S. and boosting the morale of the military and the munitions sector at home, while at the same time leaving flexibility for continuing nuclear diplomacy with the U.S.

01New North Korean ICBM delivers big political message, and likely bigger payloads
02How North Korea-Russia ties will challenge next US president, no matter who wins
03What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won
04What to know about Kim Yong Bok, the man leading North Korean troops in Russia
05If Trump: How erratic leader’s reelection could scramble North Korea policy
06North Korea’s admission of drone incursion exposes glaring gaps in air defenses
07The war in Ukraine is transforming how Europe perceives North Korean threats
08What North Korea stands to gain by sending troops to fight in Ukraine
09Satellite imagery shows DPRK laid explosives at edge of MDL to destroy roads
10Deciphering the return of No Kwang Chol as North Korea’s minister of defense

Why Kim’s submarine visit leaves room for talks, but reflects hardening position

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Rachel Minyoung Lee