Sang-O class

Submarine involved in the 1996 incident
Class overview
Builders	Bong Dao Bo Shipyards, Singpo[3]
Operators	Korean People's Navy
Preceded by	Yugo class
Succeeded by	Sinpo class
Subclasses	Attack version, infiltration/reconnaissance version
In commission	1991
Completed	41+
Active	40 (February 2021)[1][2]
Lost	1 captured by South Korea
Preserved	1
General characteristics (Sang-O I armed version)
Type	Coastal submarine
Displacement	275 tons (surfaced) 370 tons (submerged)
Length	34 m (111 ft 7 in)
Beam	3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	Diesel-electric: 1 small diesel, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft
Speed	7.5 knots (13.9 km/h; 8.6 mph) surfaced 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) submerged
Range	1,500 nmi (2,800 km; 1,700 mi)
Test depth	150 m (490 ft), capable of bottoming
Capacity	0 (10/11 in recce version)
Complement	15
Sensors and processing systems	Radar Civilian Furuno I-band radar Passive RWR/ESM/SIGINT Golf Ball radar Snoop Plate radar Sonar Trout Cheek sonar
Armament	4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes fitted with Russian 53-65KE torpedoes Capable of minelaying
Notes	Fitted with a snorkel

The Sang-O ("Shark") class of submarines (Hangul: 상어급 잠수함) are diesel-electric coastal submarines in service with the Korean People's Navy, the navy of North Korea.^[4] They are the country's second largest indigenously-built submarines.

Though North Korean military capabilities are mostly kept classified, it was reported that North Korea maintains 40 Sang-O-class submarines as of February 2021.^[2]

History

The Sang-O class was introduced in 1991, produced at Bong Dao Bo Shipyards in Sinpo.^[4]

A single unit was captured by the Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) after it ran aground on 18 September 1996 in the Gangneung submarine infiltration incident.^[3]

The seized Sang-O-class submarine was placed on display at Unification Park near Gangneung, which was opened on 26 September 2001.^[4]

Design

The Sang-O class was reported to be larger than a midget submarine, but smaller than the Romeo and Whiskey-class submarines.^[5] They are usually equipped with four 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes and 16 mines, but some are unarmed and are used to carry North Korean commandos.^[6]

New class

It was reported in March 2011 that a new version of the Sang-O class had been deployed in North Korea.^[7] Satellite imagery from 2005 suggests the Sang-O II / K-300 may have been produced at the Mayang-do naval base and fitted out at the dry docks located at 39.9978 N, and 128.20019 E.^[8]

Other footage of the nearby docks of Sinp'o appear to depict the Sang-O II / K-300 as early as 2004 (at 40 01'31.20"N 128 09'55.80"E). Subsequent satellite imagery shows the Sang-O II / K-300 deployed to the Ch’aho-rodongjagu submarine Navy Base at 40.205441 N 128.649524 E on North Korea's east coast.^[8]

According to the KPA Journal,^[1] the decision to develop a larger, improved version of the Sang-O came in the late 1990s or early 2000. The Sang-O II / K-300 is a stretched version of the original Sang-O class with an approximate length of 39 to 40 metres and a corresponding surface displacement of approximately 300 to 340 tons.

The increased length and internal volume would suggest an increase in the operational range of the submarine and troop/equipment carrying capabilities. Top speed is also reported to be higher in the new model, meaning an improved propulsion system is possibly housed in some of the extra length.