North Korea on Thursday released new images of what it claims is its first nuclear-powered submarine, showing leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the vessel at an indoor construction facility, according to CNN.
State media said the submarine has a displacement of 8,700 tons, a size comparable to some U.S. Navy nuclear-powered attack submarines. The images suggest the vessel has not yet been launched. We reached out to South Korea’s defense ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
If operational, a nuclear-powered submarine would significantly enhance North Korea’s ability to deploy missiles covertly and remain at sea for extended periods, complicating regional defense planning.
The development comes as both Koreas pursue expanded naval capabilities, raising concerns about a deepening arms race on the Korean Peninsula.
What To Know
The images, released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), show Kim inspecting a guided-missile submarine inside what appears to be a construction hall. The existence of the submarine was first disclosed by Pyongyang in March, but the latest photos indicate substantial progress, according to CNN.
Kim first announced plans to build a nuclear-powered submarine during a ruling Workers’ Party congress in 2021 as part of a five-year military modernization plan. Nuclear-powered submarines can remain submerged for long periods and generally operate faster and more quietly than conventionally powered vessels.
KCNA reported that Kim described the submarine as central to North Korea’s defense strategy, which he said was “literally… based on the strongest offensive power.” Kim also criticized South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, calling it an “offensive act” that threatened North Korean security.
Currently, only a handful of countries—including the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and India—are known to operate nuclear-powered submarines, according to CNN.
Explicit caveat: North Korea has not provided independent verification that the submarine is nuclear-powered, nor has it released technical documentation confirming the presence or operational status of a nuclear reactor. The images alone do not establish whether the vessel is complete or capable of deployment.
What People Are Saying
Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, said the country’s defense policy is “based on the strongest offensive power,” according to KCNA.
Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, told CNN: “Kim is probably right that a buildup of nuclear-powered submarines will increase instability around the Korean Peninsula, but he has himself to blame for the arms race.”
Hong Min, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said North Korea could test missiles from the submarine within two years after launch, adding that the vessel may already be fitted with a nuclear reactor, based on the images.
What Happens Next
South Korean and U.S. defense officials are expected to continue monitoring the submarine’s construction and assess whether it becomes operational. Analysts say missile tests from the vessel could occur after launch, potentially within the next two years, depending on remaining development steps.
