CNN has reported that a defense official has confirmed detection of “highly unusual and unprecedented levels” of North Korean submarine activity.
Most concerning is evidence of an “ejection test” in the days following the latest ICBM launch.
An ejection test examines a missile’s “cold-launch system,” which uses high-pressure steam to propel a missile out of the launch canister into the air before its engines ignite, preventing damage to the submarine or submersible barge that would launch the missile.”
According to defense sources, the ejection test was carried out last Sunday at the Sinpo Naval Shipyard, marking the third time in July and fourth time this year that North Korea has tested a missile component needed to develop submarine launch capabilities.
The combination of the ICBM launch and the ejection test show the growing North Korean drive for enhanced military capability to thwart any U.S. or South Korean effort to destabilize the Kim regime.
At yesterday’s second full meeting of the Cabinet, reporters asked President Trump if his administration will be able to take care of North Korea’s growing military power.
We will handle North Korea. We are gonna be able to handle them. It will be handled. We handle everything,” Trump said after a reporter asked him about his strategy.”
He offered no specifics, but Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders noted in her press briefing “all options are on the table.” She also added that the president would not “broadcast” the options being reviewed and what has been decided.
It’s believed the North Korean submarine fleet consists of about 70 subs, most of which are older and none of which are thought to have missile capability.
CNN reported earlier this month [July] that North Korea had sent a diesel-powered Romeo Class sub on an unprecedented patrol and had been outfitting its Gorae Sub with a possible missile launch demonstration tube.”
At that time, two U.S. defense officials noted that the Romeo-class submarine was engaged in “unusual deployment activity” in the sea off the coast of Japan and patrolling farther than it has gone previously. They placed it some 100 kilometers out to sea in international waters.
Because the recent activity seems outside the normal training exercises observed closer to the Korean peninsula, South Korean and U.S. forces in Korea have increased their alert level.
Last summer, North Korea conducted what experts believed was its first successful submarine missile test, firing a missile called the KN-11 or Pukguksong-1.”
Kim’s more aggressive posture, with the second ICBM launch and the growing submarine activity, certainly puts the North Korean situation on the front burner for the Trump administration.
President Trump has indicated his increased frustration over China’s reluctance to use its considerable influence to rein in the rogue dictator and help defuse what is rapidly approaching a crisis situation.
Source: FoxCarolina
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