Images show NK midget-sub armed with torpedoes

Recent satellite images have captured North Korea’s submarines being fitted with torpedoes, a local newspaper reported Tuesday.

Revealing satellite photos obtained from unidentified sources, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper said the North has equipped its “Daedong-B”mini-submarines with 4-meter-long torpedo launch tubes.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities confirmed they were for lightweight torpedoes, it said.

The Daedong-B model is 17 meters long, 4 meters wide and 2.2 meters high. One special characteristic of the midget submarine is the rear of the vessel, which incorporates a ramp to easily enable agents and infiltrators to exit, according to the newspaper.

In March, a South Korean warship was sunk in waters near the disputed western sea border with 46 sailors being killed.

A multinational team of investigators determined in May that the ship, the Cheonan, was torpedoed by a North Korean midget submarine. The North denied any involvement.