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.

“The new North Korean submarine is seen as capable of carrying three SLBMs,” committee chief Lee Hye-hoon told press, in comments carried by local media.

“When