Does a Naval War Loom Out East?

Interesting times...

South Korea's military was tracking four North Korean submarines which disappeared from their east coast base after conducting naval training in the East Sea earlier this week, a military official in Seoul said Wednesday.

Locations of the North's four 300-ton-class submarines have been unknown for two days, the military official said, noting, "We are tracking the four submarines by mobilizing all naval capabilities in the East Sea."

The submarines left the Chaho base located near the Musudan-ri missile launch pad site in North Hamgyong province in North Korea's northeast coast, according to the official.

They can't go too far for too long though, they lack range, speed, and endurance. If they deployed Monday they will probably be home by Friday - unless they have a secret home somewhere in the East Sea or a nice little supply ship with a big ass battery recharger.

The real concern for South Korea is how - at least on paper - these 4 mini-subs makes for a good squadron of small covert vessels for purposes of laying mines.