In a significant demonstration of military advancement, North Korea has revealed substantial progress in its nuclear-powered submarine program during leader Kim Jong Un’s inspection of a naval shipyard. State media imagery depicts a near-complete burgundy-hulled vessel coated with anti-corrosion materials, marking the most visible development since initial images emerged in March.
Kim characterized South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear submarine technology—reportedly endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump—as an ‘offensive act’ violating North Korea’s security and maritime sovereignty. He asserted that this perceived threat justifies accelerated naval nuclearization, describing the submarine project as ‘epoch-making’ for strengthening deterrence capabilities.
Military analysts note that the visible hull completion suggests critical internal components, including the engine and potential reactor, may already be installed. Moon Keun-sik, a submarine specialist at Seoul’s Hanyang University and former South Korean naval officer, estimates sea trials could commence within months if current progress continues.
The nuclear submarine represents a cornerstone of Kim’s 2021 weapons modernization agenda, which also includes solid-fueled ICBMs, hypersonic systems, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. This development coincides with North Korea’s recent unveiling of a new naval destroyer and testing of long-range anti-air missiles.
Experts speculate that North Korea’s strengthened alignment with Russia, including military support for Ukraine operations, may have facilitated technological transfers. While some suspect Russian reactor procurement, others believe Pyongyang developed domestic reactor capabilities with possible external technical assistance.
The advancement occurs amid deteriorating Korean Peninsula relations, with Kim intensifying weapons development while rejecting denuclearization talks that collapsed following the 2019 Trump-Kim summit.