Director Wi Seongrak: "North Korea Accelerating Nuclear Submarine Construction... Must Respond to New Threats"

Wi Seongrak, National Security Director, Briefs at Chunchugwan on June 2
"North Korean Submarine Designed to Carry and Launch Nuclear Weapons"

Seongrak Wi, Director of the National Security Office, is briefing on President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China at the Blue House press conference room on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

Wi Seongrak, Director of the Presidential National Security Office, expressed concern on the 2nd, stating, "North Korea is accelerating the construction of its nuclear submarines," and added, "Last year, such plans were made public, and it can be said that significant progress has been made since then."

Director Wi made these remarks in response to a question at a press briefing held at the Chunchugwan on the morning of the same day, when asked, "China is sensitive about nuclear submarines; what is our official position?"

He explained, "Recently, the completed hull of a North Korean submarine has been revealed," and added, "That submarine is not only nuclear-powered but also designed to launch nuclear weapons."

Director Wi further elaborated, "There is a need to respond appropriately to changes in the new security environment," and explained, "This is because we must track and prepare for North Korea's nuclear submarines." The logic is that South Korea must also possess nuclear submarine capabilities to counter North Korea's advanced nuclear capabilities.

He emphasized, "Since our nuclear submarines are for countering such threats, we intend to explain this thoroughly to persuade China."

However, Director Wi stated, "We do not know exactly what specific capabilities North Korea's nuclear submarines possess."

He continued, "Nevertheless, in principle, they are nuclear submarines with nuclear propulsion. We must assume that they are capable of long-duration submersion, are difficult to track and identify, and can launch nuclear weapons."

He added, "For us, this constitutes a new type of threat, so we must respond accordingly. Although we do not know how sophisticated these submarines are, their mere existence presents a new threat to us, and I believe this is an issue we must address."