North Korea announced on Saturday that it is building its first nuclear-powered submarine to bolster its nuclear weapons capabilities. State media showed Kim Jong-un inspecting part of what appears to be a new submarine larger than any the country has previously owned. This announcement comes amidst concerns that North Korea may be receiving technological assistance from Russia to modernize its military in exchange for support in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

Currently, North Korea possesses numerous outdated, diesel-powered submarines from the Soviet era that must surface frequently to recharge their batteries. In contrast, a nuclear-powered submarine can travel long distances without the need to resurface, enhancing North Korea’s capacity to attack enemies like the United States with nuclear missiles without being detected. Kim commented that North Korea’s naval power “will be fully demonstrated in any necessary waters without limitation.”

Previous analysts have been skeptical of North Korea’s technical and engineering abilities to construct a nuclear submarine, including the development of a small nuclear reactor to power the vessel. However, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, suggests that if Russia provides aid to overcome these technological challenges in return for North Korean support in Ukraine, Kim’s submarine project could gain momentum.

North Korea’s current diesel-powered submarines are used for espionage and launching torpedoes. The United States and its allies have been closely monitoring North Korea’s efforts to develop a missile-launching submarine since the country began testing submarine missiles about a decade ago.

In 2023, North Korea announced the completion of a “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” a remodeled Soviet-era diesel-powered vessel purportedly capable of launching nuclear missiles. However, South Korea’s military was skeptical about its design and functionality. They have not seen any evidence of a missile being tested from the submarine.

According to Hong Min, an expert on the North Korean military at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, the newly unveiled submarine appears larger than the 2023 model. While specific details about the new vessel are limited, its name suggests it is designed to launch both nuclear ballistic and cruise missiles that North Korea has been developing.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-powered-submarine.html