North Korea on Wednesday released new images of what it says is its first nuclear-powered submarine. The large ship would be comparable in size to U.S. Navy attack submarines, according to preliminary analyzes based on documents published by state media.
The footage shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the missile submarine at a closed construction facility, indicating that the equipment has not yet been launched into the sea. The regime says the project represents a strategically relevant advance in the country’s military program.
The development of a nuclear-powered submarine is a long-standing goal of Kim Jong-un, publicly announced in 2021 at a ruling party congress. However, experts believe the project gained new momentum after South Korea received the green light from the US government to advance its own nuclear submarine projects, increasing the technological race in the region.
Nuclear-powered submarines offer significant advantages over conventional designs. These ships can remain submerged for long periods of time – potentially for years, provided there are sufficient supplies for the crew – without needing to surface for air, as is the case with diesel-electric submarines.
In addition to extended endurance, this type of submarine tends to be faster and quieter, characteristics considered crucial in modern military operations. Currently, only the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and India have mastered this technology, which underlines the symbolic and strategic weight of Pyongyang’s announcement.
According to North Korean state media, the submarine would have an estimated displacement of 8,700 tons, a value similar to that of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines used by the North American fleet.
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