North Korea has revealed its first nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a development that could significantly heighten security concerns for South Korea and the United States.
State media released images on Saturday showcasing what it described as “a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” reporting that leader Kim Jong Un had inspected major shipyards responsible for warship construction. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not disclose specific details but confirmed that Kim was briefed on its progress.
Experts believe the submarine could be in the 6,000-to-7,000-ton class and capable of carrying around ten missiles, likely nuclear-capable. “This would be an absolute threat to South Korea and the U.S.,” said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert from Hanyang University in Seoul.
A Step Toward Advanced Military Capabilities
The nuclear-powered submarine was among the advanced weapons Kim pledged to develop during a 2021 political conference, citing growing U.S.-led military threats. Other weapons on his list included solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic missiles, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted multiple weapons tests to advance its military capabilities.
A nuclear-powered submarine would be a significant addition to North Korea’s fleet, as its ability to launch missiles from underwater would make detection more challenging for enemy forces.
Concerns Over Russian Assistance
Given North Korea’s economic struggles and international sanctions, questions have arisen about how the country has acquired the resources and technology necessary to build such an advanced submarine. Some experts, including Moon, suspect that Pyongyang may have received Russian technological assistance in exchange for supplying conventional weapons and possibly troops to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Moon speculates that North Korea could launch the submarine within the next one or two years for testing before actual deployment.
North Korea’s Growing Submarine Fleet
North Korea reportedly has one of the world’s largest submarine fleets, with an estimated 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines. However, most are outdated and capable only of launching torpedoes and mines, rather than ballistic missiles.
In 2023, Pyongyang claimed to have launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” but international analysts remained skeptical, suggesting it was likely a modified diesel-powered submarine first revealed in 2019. So far, there has been no confirmation that the submarine is operational.
North Korea has been testing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) since 2016, but all launches have come from the same 2,000-ton-class submarine with a single launch tube, widely regarded as a test platform rather than an active combat vessel.
Tensions Escalate Ahead of US-South Korea Drills
North Korea’s latest military developments come at a time of increasing tensions with the U.S. and South Korea. Pyongyang has escalated its rhetoric ahead of annual U.S.-South Korea military drills set to begin Monday, condemning what it calls “hostile forces.”
During his shipyard inspections, Kim emphasized the need to modernize both surface and underwater naval forces. He called for the construction of “incomparably overwhelming warships” to counter what he termed as the “inveterate gunboat diplomacy” of North Korea’s adversaries, KCNA reported.
The unveiling of this nuclear-powered submarine marks a significant moment in North Korea’s military expansion, raising fresh concerns about regional security and prompting speculation over how Pyongyang obtained the necessary technology.
Sources By Agencies
