North Korea Unveils First Nuclear-Powered Submarine
North Korea has released new images showcasing what it claims to be its inaugural nuclear-powered submarine. The announcement, made by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), follows a visit by Kim Jong Un to a shipyard where he inspected the construction of the 8,700-ton vessel. This submarine is touted as a pivotal advancement in the modernization and nuclear capabilities of North Korea’s naval forces.
Details of the Submarine’s Development
During his visit, Kim was accompanied by various officials and his daughter, who is widely regarded as a potential successor. The photos published by KCNA depict a submarine hull that appears to be largely completed, indicating that significant components may already be in place. Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert from Hanyang University in Seoul, noted that the images suggest substantial progress in the submarine’s construction, although the exact stage remains unclear.
In addition to the submarine inspection, Kim also oversaw a missile test aimed at enhancing North Korea’s strategic technology for a new high-altitude missile. This test reportedly achieved its objective by successfully destroying airborne targets from a distance of 200 kilometers (approximately 120 miles), according to KCNA reports.
Kim’s Response to Regional Tensions
The urgency behind Kim’s nuclear submarine initiative, first announced in 2021, has intensified in light of South Korea’s recent advancements in its own nuclear submarine program, supported by the United States. Kim Jong Un expressed that the development of South Korean nuclear submarines represents a significant threat to North Korea’s security and maritime sovereignty. He emphasized the necessity of accelerating the modernization and nuclear armament of North Korea’s naval forces in response to this perceived threat.
Kim stated that the comprehensive development of nuclear capabilities and the modernization of the navy are not only essential but also inevitable, asserting that the current global landscape is anything but peaceful. With only a few nations possessing nuclear-powered submarines, the technology remains one of the most closely guarded military secrets, particularly by the United States.
