North Korea Unveils Nuclear Missile Submarine for First Time

North Korea Unveils New Nuclear-Powered Submarine Capable of Carrying Ballistic Missiles

In a significant development that has raised concerns in the international community, North Korea has revealed a nuclear-powered submarine that could potentially carry up to 10 ballistic missiles. State media in the secretive regime released images of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the vessel, which is described as a "strategic guided missile submarine." This announcement marks the first time Pyongyang has openly disclosed the construction of such a weapon system, signaling a major advancement in its military capabilities. Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon for comment, but no official response has been issued yet. The unveiling of this submarine comes amid heightened tensions in the region and escalating rhetoric from North Korea against its adversaries, particularly the United States and South Korea.

Why This Matters: A New Era of Military Ambition for North Korea

The revelation of the nuclear-powered submarine is a critical moment in North Korea’s military modernization efforts. According to Yonhap, a South Korean news agency, this is the first time Pyongyang has publicly acknowledged the development of such a vessel. The project aligns with Kim Jong Un’s 2021 pledge to build a nuclear-powered submarine in response to what he described as growing military threats from the United States. The development is likely to raise alarms in Washington and other regional powers, as it represents a significant leap in North Korea’s ability to project power beyond its borders. The submarine’s nuclear propulsion system would allow it to stay submerged for extended periods, making it a more stealthy and formidable asset for the North Korean military.

Details of the Submarine and Its Capabilities

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un inspected the submarine during a visit to major shipyards, where he called for the "advanced construction of modern ships and submarines" capable of operating outside North Korea’s waters. While KCNA did not provide specific details about the vessel’s design or capabilities, experts have made several assessments based on the released images. Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert at South Korea’s Hanyang University, estimates that the submarine could be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton-class vessel, potentially capable of carrying around 10 nuclear-capable missiles. This would make it a far more advanced platform than North Korea’s existing fleet of aging diesel-powered submarines, most of which are limited to launching torpedoes and mines.

Analysts have also speculated that the submarine may have been constructed with Russian assistance, as North Korea faces heavy international sanctions that limit its ability to develop such advanced technology independently. The collaboration could be part of a broader exchange, with North Korea reportedly supplying weapons and troops to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. While KCNA did not provide further details about the submarine’s development, the images released suggest that the vessel is nearing completion, with Kim Jong Un reportedly reviewing its construction progress.

Implications for Regional and Global Security

The unveiling of the nuclear-powered submarine has significant implications for regional and global security. Should the vessel become operational, it would represent a major enhancement of North Korea’s naval capabilities, allowing it to pose a direct threat to adversaries at sea. The submarine’s ability to carry ballistic missiles would also extend North Korea’s deterrent capabilities, potentially altering the strategic balance in the region. Moon Keun-sik warns that North Korea could launch the submarine within two years to test its capabilities, which would likely coincide with heightened military posturing by the U.S. and its allies.

The timing of the announcement is also notable, as it comes just days before the start of annual military drills between the U.S. and South Korea. These exercises are often met with fiery rhetoric from Pyongyang, which views them as a provocation. The release of images showing Kim Jong Un next to the submarine underscores North Korea’s determination to expand its military capabilities despite international sanctions and economic challenges.

What Happens Next: Potential Deployment and Regional Tensions

As North Korea moves closer to deploying the nuclear-powered submarine, the region is bracing for potential consequences. Experts predict that the vessel could be launched within two years, with initial tests aimed at assessing its operational readiness. Should the submarine prove successful, it would significantly enhance North Korea’s ability to project military power, potentially targeting U.S. naval assets and bases in the region. The development also raises questions about the effectiveness of current missile defense systems and the ability of regional powers to counter this new threat.

In response to these developments, the U.S. and its allies are likely to increase their military presence in the region and strengthen defense systems to counter the new threat. Diplomatic efforts to curtail North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs may also intensify, though past attempts at denuclearization talks have yielded little progress. For now, the world watches as North Korea continues to push the boundaries of its military capabilities, raising the stakes in an already volatile region.