SEOUL-North Korea has launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine”, state media reported Friday, although the South Korean military said the vessel might not be operational. Images in state media showed Kim, wearing a light suit and sun hat, speaking to white-uniformed sailors next to the submarine, whose bow was decorated with the North Korean flag. North Korea will turn its existing submarines into attack vessels equipped with nuclear weapons, Kim said. But the South Korean military said Pyongyang’s claims could not be taken at face value. North Korea has conducted a record number of weapons tests this year, and last month failed in its second attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit.
