North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine Amid Rising Tensions
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has released new images showcasing what appears to be significant progress in the development of its nuclear-powered submarine, a move that underscores Pyongyang’s expanding military capabilities and heightens regional security concerns. State media distributed photographs of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter inspecting the submarine’s largely completed hull at an undisclosed shipyard, marking the first such update since March of this year.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s official media outlet, described the vessel as an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-propelled submarine. According to reports from The Associated Press, Pyongyang intends to arm the submarine with nuclear weapons, further advancing its naval modernization and nuclear armament efforts. Kim Jong Un emphasized the strategic importance of the submarine during his visit, condemning South Korea’s concurrent push to develop its own nuclear-powered submarines.
Experts in Seoul have analyzed the images and suggest that the submarine is nearing completion. Moon Keun-sik, a submarine specialist at Hanyang University and former South Korean navy officer, noted that the visible hull and structure indicate that many core components have likely been installed. “Showing the entire vessel now seems to indicate that most of the equipment has already been installed and it is just about ready to be launched into the water,” Moon told the AP. He added that the submarine could be ready for sea trials within months.
This development comes amid heightened military activity on the Korean Peninsula. Just days before, North Korea launched ballistic missiles, escalating tensions ahead of diplomatic engagements in the region. The United States has expressed concern over Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear capabilities and has warned against any assistance from foreign powers that could facilitate North Korea’s weapons programs. The U.S. Department of State has consistently condemned North Korea’s nuclear tests and missile launches as violations of international law.
South Korea’s own ambitions to build nuclear-powered submarines have drawn sharp criticism from Pyongyang. During his shipyard visit, Kim Jong Un denounced Seoul’s efforts, framing them as provocative and destabilizing. This rhetoric comes as South Korea, with tacit U.S. support, moves forward with plans to enhance its naval deterrence capabilities amid ongoing threats from the North. The U.S. Department of Defense has reaffirmed its commitment to regional security alliances, including with South Korea, as tensions persist.
The images released by KCNA also featured Kim’s daughter, who is seen accompanying the leader during the inspection. Analysts view her presence as a signal of succession planning within North Korea’s leadership. Independent journalists have not been granted access to the shipyard or the inspection, and the authenticity of the images cannot be independently verified.
As North Korea continues to advance its nuclear submarine program, international observers remain vigilant. The development of such a platform would extend Pyongyang’s ability to deploy nuclear weapons stealthily and complicate efforts to monitor its arsenal. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly called for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but progress has stalled amid mutual distrust and ongoing provocations.
The release of these photos on Christmas Day serves as a stark reminder of the persistent volatility in Northeast Asia and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to curb nuclear proliferation in the region.
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