North Korea's new submarine puts focus on nuclear counterattack

SEOUL -- Analysis of North Korea's new submarine, which it calls a "tactical nuclear attack" vessel, by South Korea's military and others reveals doubts about its design and capabilities, but its true mission may be to simply exist as deterrence.

The 86-meter, diesel-powered vessel seems to be a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine. It is equipped with four launch tubes capable of accommodating ballistic missiles and six smaller tubes likely for cruise missiles.