North Korea appears to have completed maintenance on the newly built Kim Gunok Youngung submarine and is expected to conduct test launches of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and cruise missiles off the coast of Sinpo in the near future. Through these tests, North Korea is anticipated to declare to the international community that it now possesses a nuclear attack submarine with full operational capabilities.

Furthermore, by possessing strategic missiles launched from destroyers and submarines in addition to ground-based missiles, North Korea is expected to diversify its nuclear delivery systems. This move is likely intended to demonstrate that, unlike Iran, it possesses a multi-layered deterrent that cannot be easily neutralized.