North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine as Regional Undersea Race Intensifies

PYONGYANG: North Korea has released new images of its nuclear-powered submarine, signalling a significant advancement in its naval capabilities as South Korea secures the United States’ backing to pursue its own nuclear-capable submarines.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was shown inspecting the massive submarine at an indoor construction facility, indicating that the vessel has not yet entered operational service.

Once commissioned, the submarine is expected to substantially enhance North Korea’s maritime strike capability, placing it among a small group of countries, including the United States, China, India, Russia, France and the United Kingdom, that possess nuclear-powered submarine technology.

The development comes amid growing regional competition under the seas, with South Korea’s pursuit of U.S. approval for similar advanced submarines adding urgency to Pyongyang’s programme. The project was first publicly announced by Kim Jong Un in March.

Nuclear-powered submarines offer major advantages over conventional diesel-electric vessels, including the ability to remain submerged for extended periods, greater speed, and significantly reduced detectability, making them a key asset for strategic deterrence.

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According to North Korean state media, Kim emphasized the importance of the 8,700-ton submarine in strengthening the country’s defense posture, which he stated is rooted in possessing the strongest possible offensive capabilities.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying: “We regard the super-powerful offensive capability as the best shield for national security in developing armed forces.”

Kim also criticised South Korea’s pursuit of similar technology, warning that it poses a direct threat to North Korea’s security and must be countered.

According to CNN, based on the submarine’s displacement and its apparent size in the released images, the vessel appears comparable to the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The unveiling underscores escalating military competition on the Korean Peninsula and highlights deepening strategic rivalries in the region, particularly as both Koreas seek to strengthen their deterrence capabilities.