A Show of Steel in the Depths: North Korea Unveils Its Nuclear-Powered Submarine
North Korea has dramatically escalated its naval ambitions by revealing new images of what it claims is its first nuclear-powered submarine, a colossal vessel equal in size to the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines. State media released pictures on Thursday showing leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the 8,700-ton guided-missile submarine inside an indoor construction facility, indicating it has not yet been launched. Kim declared the vessel essential to the regime’s “strongest offensive power,” calling it “the best shield for national security.” The reveal appears directly linked to Seoul’s own recent pursuit of nuclear-powered subs with Washington’s blessing, which Kim labeled “an offensive act” that violates North Korean security. Analysts note that while the images show substantial progress, the submarine represents a provocative leap in a dangerous regional arms race that Kim himself has fueled.
While the technological feat, if genuine, would grant Pyongyang a prestigious place among only six nations operating such subs—offering advantages in stealth, speed, and endurance—experts caution that North Korea’s fleet remains vastly outclassed by South Korea’s modern naval forces. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, stated that while Kim “is probably right that a buildup of nuclear-powered submarines will increase instability,” he has “himself to blame for the arms race.” The images also featured Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, further fueling speculation about succession plans. Analysts suggest North Korea could potentially launch and begin testing the submarine within two years, a timeline that could see it operational far sooner than any South Korean counterpart, marking a volatile new chapter in the peninsula’s military standoff.
