North Korea Unveils Nuclear Submarine

North Korea has unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a move that poses a significant security threat to South Korea and the United States. The state media agency released photos of the submarine, which it called a "nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine," during leader Kim Jong Un's visits to major shipyards.

The submarine is believed to be a 6,000-ton-class or 7,000-ton-class vessel, capable of carrying around 10 missiles, according to Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert. The use of the term "strategic guided missiles" suggests that the submarine will carry nuclear-capable weapons, which Moon described as "absolutely threatening" to South Korea and the US.

The US National Security Council has acknowledged the reports, with spokesman Brian Hughes stating that "we're aware of these claims and do not have additional information to provide at this time." Hughes reiterated the US commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The development of a nuclear-powered submarine is part of Kim's plans to modernize North Korea's military capabilities, which were outlined in a major political conference in 2021. Other planned advancements include solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles.

Experts have questioned how North Korea, a heavily sanctioned and impoverished country, was able to acquire the necessary resources and technology to build a nuclear-powered submarine. Moon suggested that North Korea may have received Russian technological assistance in exchange for supplying conventional weapons and troops to support Russia's war efforts against Ukraine.

The unveiling of the submarine comes as North Korea has been increasing its rhetoric against the US and South Korea, with Kim stressing the need to modernize the country's naval capabilities to counter “the inveterate gunboat diplomacy of the hostile forces.”