A new-type submarine first seen at an on-the-spot guidance by North Korea leader Kim Jong Un last week is believed to be capable of carrying three submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), South Korea's defense ministry was reported to have said Wednesday.

In an assessment shared during a closed-door briefing by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to members of the National Assembly's intelligence committee, officials were said to believe the submarine will be deployed soon.