North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected what state media described as the country's first 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine and oversaw a missile launch, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). While KCNA did not disclose the location or date of the visit, the appearance marks a significant milestone in Pyongyang's long-running effort to modernize its naval forces.
During the inspection, Kim Jong Un was briefed on the progress of construction of what was described as a "nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine". The project is reportedly one of five key defense development priorities outlined by the North Korean leadership and is presented as a core element of the country's naval modernization program.
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Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and senior officials, underscoring the political and symbolic importance the regime attaches to the program. He described the completion of the nuclear submarine as an "epoch-making crucial change" that would strengthen both North Korea's self-confidence and its deterrence posture in the eyes of its adversaries.
According to Kim Jong Un's statements cited by KCNA, North Korea is simultaneously building multiple strike destroyers and nuclear-powered submarines. He emphasized the need to accelerate shipbuilding timelines in order to equip new vessels with a range of advanced weapons, suggesting a broader effort to expand the navy's strategic strike capabilities beyond land-based systems.
Independent analysis has raised questions about how Pyongyang acquired the technical expertise required for such a complex platform. The New York Times reported that russia may have provided assistance in constructing the submarine, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has publicly acknowledged such cooperation.
Hong Min, an expert on the North Korean military at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told the New York Times that photographs released by KCNA show a completed and welded hull. This, he said, indicates the submarine may already be capable of being fitted with a nuclear reactor, suggesting the project is at an advanced stage.
Hong Min further assessed that North Korea may have received technological support from russia in exchange for providing troops and weapons for russia's war against Ukraine. If confirmed, such cooperation would represent a significant deepening of military-technical ties between the two countries.
Overall, the unveiling of the nuclear submarine project highlights Pyongyang's ambition to develop a survivable sea-based nuclear deterrent. While many technical details remain unclear, the development has potential implications for regional security and reflects the growing complexity of North Korea's strategic weapons programs.
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