North Korea Reveals First Nuclear Submarine Under Kim Jong Un

North Korea has officially unveiled what it claims is its first nuclear-powered submarine, capable of launching surface-to-air missiles. The announcement was made during a tour led by Kim Jong Un, who was accompanied by his daughter, widely regarded as his potential successor. The submarine, weighing 8,700 tons, appears nearly complete and could be operational within months.

Experts suggest that North Korea may be ready to conduct missile tests from this submarine within two years. Moon Geun-sik, a former submarine officer and academic at Hanyang University in Seoul, noted that the visibility of the vessel indicates significant progress in its construction. He stated, “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.”

Significance of the New Vessel

This submarine is comparable in size to the United States’ nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarines and rivals the UK’s Vanguard-class submarines, which carry ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. Only a few countries, including Russia, China, France, and India, possess nuclear-powered submarines, which are known for their enhanced speed, stealth, and ability to remain submerged for extended periods.

Kim has described the construction of this submarine as an “epoch-making change” in the ongoing nuclear arms race, a response to what he perceives as threats from adversaries. He emphasized the urgency of developing a nuclear-powered submarine as a means to bolster North Korea’s national security, particularly following South Korea’s recent advancements in similar technology, which received backing from the Trump administration.

Recent Military Activities

This development comes on the heels of North Korea’s missile test on December 18, where a long-range surface-to-air missile was launched over the East Sea, reaching targets approximately 120 miles (200 km) away. Reports from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) indicated that Kim oversaw the test, which was confirmed by South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff.

Kim has intensified military efforts as part of a five-year plan initiated in 2021. Yet, the regime faced setbacks, including a naval destroyer capsizing during a water launch in May. Following the incident, Kim criticized military officials and shipyard operators for negligence.

In a broader context, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, highlighted that while the development of nuclear-powered submarines may increase instability in the region, the responsibility for escalating tensions lies with Pyongyang. He stated, “[Kim] is probably right that a build-up of nuclear-powered submarines will increase instability around the Korean Peninsula, but he has himself to blame for the arms race.”

In another notable development, KCNA reported that Kim received a message from Vladimir Putin praising North Korean soldiers for their role in the Ukraine conflict, further solidifying the ties between the two countries amid global scrutiny.

As North Korea continues to advance its military capabilities, the international community remains watchful of the implications this has for regional and global security.