North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine, Raising Security Concerns

[Social Media]

 

North Korea has unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine under construction for the first time, a move that significantly heightens security concerns for both South Korea and the United States. State media released images on Saturday, describing the vessel as “a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” and reporting that leader Kim Jong Un had inspected major shipyards where warships are built.  

 

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not disclose specific details regarding the submarine but confirmed that Kim had been briefed on its construction. According to Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert from Hanyang University in Seoul, the vessel appears to be a 6,000 to 7,000-ton-class submarine capable of carrying around 10 missiles. He further explained that the use of the phrase “strategic guided missiles” strongly indicates that the submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable weapons. “It would be absolutely threatening to us and the U.S.,” Moon stated.  

 

Kim Jong Un has long sought to modernize North Korea’s military capabilities. In 2021, he announced an ambitious plan to develop advanced weaponry, including nuclear-powered submarines, solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted numerous weapons tests in an effort to realize these military advancements.  

 

The ability to fire missiles from an underwater platform represents a significant strategic shift, as it makes it much more difficult for North Korea’s adversaries to detect and intercept launches in advance. However, doubts persist over how North Korea, a country under heavy sanctions and facing economic hardships, could acquire the resources and technology necessary to build such a sophisticated submarine.  

 

Moon suggested that North Korea may have obtained Russian technological assistance in exchange for supplying conventional weapons and possibly even troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. He estimated that North Korea could launch the submarine within one to two years for testing before it becomes fully operational.  

 

Currently, North Korea possesses an estimated 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines, making its fleet one of the largest in the world. However, most of these submarines are aging models, capable of deploying only torpedoes and mines rather than missiles. In 2023, North Korea claimed to have launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” but foreign experts were skeptical, believing the vessel was likely a modified diesel-powered submarine first revealed in 2019. Moon pointed out that there has been no confirmation that the submarine has been officially deployed.  

 

Since 2016, North Korea has carried out multiple underwater-launched ballistic missile tests, but all of these tests have been conducted using a 2,000-ton-class submarine equipped with a single launch tube. Many analysts believe this submarine is merely a test platform rather than a fully operational military asset.  

 

The timing of North Korea’s latest military developments is notable, as tensions in the region are rising. The country has intensified its aggressive rhetoric against the U.S. and South Korea ahead of their annual joint military exercises set to begin on Monday.  

 

During his recent visits to the shipyards, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of modernizing both surface and underwater warships simultaneously. He declared that North Korea must ensure that its warships are “incomparably overwhelming” and capable of fulfilling their mission to counter “the inveterate gunboat diplomacy of the hostile forces,” according to KCNA.  

 

The unveiling of a nuclear-powered submarine marks a significant step in North Korea’s military ambitions, but questions remain about its actual capabilities and whether the country has the technological means to complete and operate such a vessel. However, if successful, this development would pose a serious security challenge to both South Korea and the United States, further escalating tensions in the region.

 

 Based on a report by CNN  2025-03-11

 

 

 

[Felton Jarvis]

There is no solution to the problem of North Korea.

[gargamon]

But he sent a love letter to Trump so it's okay.

[SAFETY FIRST]

19 minutes ago, Social Media said:

North Korea has unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine

It'll probably end up in on the bottom of the ocean next to the Russian sub. 

 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

It would be absolutely threatening to us and the U.S.,” Moon stated.  

 

That's what North Korea, Russia, China feel when thinking of America.

[Tug]

There’s a steep learning curve to operate a nuke sub + reliably launch missiles not much of a threat (for now).

[Purdey]

How many of its enemies have nuclear submarines? Having one won't make a lot of difference. 

[Woke to Sounds]

Don't like that guy's haircut.

[Bruce Aussie]

6 hours ago, Felton Jarvis said:

There is no solution to the problem of North Korea.

Leave it to Trump he will solve the problem. Maybe make NK 52nd state.😂