North Korea unveils submarine with nuclear capabilities
North Korea has revealed images of a nuclear-powered submarine that is currently under construction, marking the first public glimpse of the vessel.
TroibNews 
North Korea has showcased its inaugural nuclear-powered submarine, releasing images of Kim Jong-un inspecting the vessel during a tour of significant shipyards.
State media reported on Saturday that the submarine is classified as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.” However, the undated photographs did not reveal the location of the shipyard, and the report provided few specifics about the submarine, mentioning only that Kim was updated on the construction process.
Pyongyang has aimed to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines into its fleet to counter perceived military threats from the United States and its regional allies. The Nuclear Threat Initiative estimates that North Korea operates one of the largest submarine fleets globally, comprising between 70 and 90 vessels. Yet, many experts contend that a majority of these submarines are aged and may not be fully operational or capable of launching missiles.
In 2023, North Korea asserted that it had launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” a Sinpo-C class vessel said to be able to launch ten nuclear missiles while underwater. At that time, Kim outlined intentions to construct additional submarines, including one powered by nuclear energy.
Additionally, last year, North Korea initiated the development of a new “modern naval base” designed to support larger and more advanced naval vessels expected to join its fleet in the near future.
South Korean submarine expert Moon Keun-sik informed AP that the newly disclosed submarine looks to be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton vessel with the capacity to carry around ten missiles. He pointed out that the term “strategic guided missiles” in the submarine’s designation likely implies it is intended to transport nuclear-capable weapons. If operational, he warned, it “would be absolutely threatening to [South Korea] and the US.”
Kim's inspection of the shipyard precedes the annual military exercises between the US and South Korea, scheduled to start on Monday. Pyongyang has consistently condemned these drills, interpreting them as rehearsals for an invasion.
During his visit, Kim emphasized the necessity of modernizing North Korea’s naval forces, characterizing its warships, both surface and underwater, as essential for deterring the “inveterate gunboat diplomacy of hostile forces.”
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
State media reported on Saturday that the submarine is classified as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.” However, the undated photographs did not reveal the location of the shipyard, and the report provided few specifics about the submarine, mentioning only that Kim was updated on the construction process.
Pyongyang has aimed to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines into its fleet to counter perceived military threats from the United States and its regional allies. The Nuclear Threat Initiative estimates that North Korea operates one of the largest submarine fleets globally, comprising between 70 and 90 vessels. Yet, many experts contend that a majority of these submarines are aged and may not be fully operational or capable of launching missiles.
In 2023, North Korea asserted that it had launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” a Sinpo-C class vessel said to be able to launch ten nuclear missiles while underwater. At that time, Kim outlined intentions to construct additional submarines, including one powered by nuclear energy.
Additionally, last year, North Korea initiated the development of a new “modern naval base” designed to support larger and more advanced naval vessels expected to join its fleet in the near future.
South Korean submarine expert Moon Keun-sik informed AP that the newly disclosed submarine looks to be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton vessel with the capacity to carry around ten missiles. He pointed out that the term “strategic guided missiles” in the submarine’s designation likely implies it is intended to transport nuclear-capable weapons. If operational, he warned, it “would be absolutely threatening to [South Korea] and the US.”
Kim's inspection of the shipyard precedes the annual military exercises between the US and South Korea, scheduled to start on Monday. Pyongyang has consistently condemned these drills, interpreting them as rehearsals for an invasion.
During his visit, Kim emphasized the necessity of modernizing North Korea’s naval forces, characterizing its warships, both surface and underwater, as essential for deterring the “inveterate gunboat diplomacy of hostile forces.”
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
