Former People Power Party lawmaker Thae Yong-ho speaks during an appearance on Asia Today TV’s “Shin Yul’s Political Check” on Dec. 29. Photo by Asia Today
Dec. 29 (Asia Today) — Former People Power Party lawmaker Thae Yong-ho said Monday that North Korea is likely to build a nuclear-powered submarine before South Korea, citing Pyongyang’s ability to bypass lengthy legislative and administrative processes.
Thae made the remarks during an appearance on Asia Today TV’s political talk show Shin Yul’s Political Check. He was commenting on North Korea’s stated goal of developing a nuclear-powered strategic submarine as part of its five major defense modernization tasks.
“North Korea’s objective is to create a nuclear threat that the United States would perceive as credible,” Thae said. He added, however, that Washington still does not view Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities as an immediate existential threat.
He said a land-based nuclear missile launched from North Korea would take about an hour to reach the United States and could be intercepted or neutralized through a preemptive strike. “That’s why North Korea is trying to develop a method to hide in the depths of the ocean and launch closer to U.S. shores,” he said, adding that Pyongyang ultimately seeks recognition as a nuclear-armed state.
“North Korea lies a lot and engages in bluster,” Thae said. “But when you look back, they usually end up building what they say they will. The quality may not be sophisticated, but they get it done. A nuclear submarine is just a matter of time.”
Asked whether South Korea or North Korea would succeed first, Thae said he believed the North would do so earlier. He noted that while South Korea has much of the necessary technology, building a nuclear-powered submarine would require years of preparation, legislative approval and negotiations, particularly with the United States.
“Even if it were built at a U.S. shipyard, the infrastructure alone could take five years to prepare,” he said. He added that fuel transfer issues and U.S. legislative approval would also pose major hurdles. “We are a democracy, so procedures take time. North Korea can simply cobble something together with Russia, but we cannot.”
Thae also said North Korea has not yet completed its submarine-launched ballistic missile technology. He noted that while the North has displayed launches from barges, it has not conducted a confirmed underwater launch since unveiling a nuclear attack submarine in September 2023.
“If they had mastered the technology, they would have demonstrated it by now,” he said, adding that firing missiles underwater while maintaining submarine stability is highly complex.
Thae also predicted that North Korea’s internal power structure could move into what he described as an “era of Ri Sol-ju,” referring to Kim Jong-un’s wife. He said Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae’s public appearances appear symbolic rather than indicative of an imminent female successor.
Turning to South Korea’s decision to allow limited public access to Rodong Sinmun, Thae downplayed concerns about social impact. He said the newspaper is only available in restricted settings such as libraries and is not widely read even inside North Korea.
“In North Korea, officials are forced to read it during designated morning sessions,” he said. “Who would read it here, and how many people would bother? There won’t be major social repercussions.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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