"Both South Korea and US intelligence authorities made the assessment that North Korea has already finished building the 3,000-tonne submarine unveiled in July 2019", sources told Yonhap.
According to the agency, the news comes from a US think tank that said North Korea had moved a submersible missile test barge to a new position, likely hinting at an upcoming submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test to take place.
© REUTERS / KCNAWhat appears to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) flies in an undisclosed location in this undated picture released by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 2, 2019
![US and South Korea Reportedly Believe Pyongyang Soon to Launch Its First Ballistic Missile Submarine US and South Korea Reportedly Believe Pyongyang Soon to Launch Its First Ballistic Missile Submarine - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.04.2021](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107694/87/1076948727_0:0:3071:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_cf334065c0a459762e4fa5f473791bed.jpg)
What appears to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) flies in an undisclosed location in this undated picture released by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 2, 2019
© REUTERS / KCNA
"The authorities assess that North Korea is reviewing the right timing to roll out the submarine for a strategic effect, including maximising pressure against the United States", said a source, as quoted by Yonhap.
According to the US think tank, this would be North Korea's first true ballistic missile submarine.
During an annual military parade late last year, Pyongyang showcased a beefed-up nuclear-capable missiles arsenal, with upgraded SLBMs as the main addition.