North Korea's new missile sub looks kind of shoddy, but the US and its allies can't afford to ignore it

• North Korea recently unveiled a heavily reworked Cold War-era submarine with new missile capabilities.
• Pictures show the new modifications. The sub looks a little shoddy, and it may not be fully operational.
• But even if it's based on the inferior Romeo subs, the new boat is still a threat and a bargaining chip for North Korea.

North Korea recently unveiled a new "tactical nuclear attack submarine" that appears to actually be a reworked Cold War-era conventionally-powered submarine with new missile capabilities. And while the vessel's design seems rather shoddy, the US and its allies can't really afford to ignore the potential threat it poses or its role as a bargaining chip.