Nuclear Power for the Hermit Kingdom: North Korea’s Shocking Leap in Naval Capabilities, as Russia’s An Shadowy Role Unveiled

North Korea Unveils Its First Nuclear-Powered Submarine, Raising Security Concerns in the Region

North Korea has announced the development of its first nuclear-powered submarine, a strategic guided missile submarine capable of carrying 10 missiles, raising concerns about its potential impact on regional security. According to reports, the submarine was showcased during a visit by leader Kim Jong-un to major shipyards, where he inspected warship construction projects. The news comes as a significant milestone in North Korea’s naval capabilities, offering a second-strike nuclear deterrent.

Experts suggest that Russia might have played a role in helping North Korea overcome technical challenges in creating the nuclear-powered submarine. While the exact details of the vessel’s capabilities remain unclear, some estimate it could be a 6,000 to 7,000-ton-class submarine, armed with nuclear-capable weapons. Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert, warned that this development poses a significant threat to both the US and South Korea, stating, “It would be absolutely threatening to us and the US.”

The submarine’s development is part of North Korea’s ambitious military expansion plan, announced in 2021. The plan aims to create advanced weaponry, including nuclear submarines, hypersonic weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted multiple weapons tests, including the testing of underwater-launched ballistic missiles, which has raised concerns about the country’s military capabilities.

Despite the significance of this development, doubts surround North Korea’s ability to obtain the necessary technology and resources to build a nuclear-powered submarine. Some experts speculate that Russia might have provided assistance in exchange for conventional weapons or troops supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Kim Jong-un’s visit to shipyards, where he stressed the importance of modernizing surface and underwater warships, further emphasizes North Korea’s military ambitions.

North Korea currently has an estimated 70 to 90 submarines, but most are old and only capable of launching torpedoes and mines, not missiles. The new submarine, however, represents a significant upgrade, as it can fire missiles from underwater, making detection much more difficult for its adversaries. With the threat of the submarine’s deployment looming, the US and South Korea are likely to remain vigilant, with joint military exercises set to begin on Monday.

In the past, North Korea has made claims about developing a “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” but these claims have been met with skepticism. The current development, however, marks the first time the country has explicitly announced a nuclear-powered submarine, leaving little room for doubt about its capabilities. As tensions between North Korea, the US, and South Korea continue to escalate, the unveiling of this new submarine underscores the need for international cooperation and diplomatic efforts to address the growing concern.

Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/north-korea-reveals-first-nuclear-powered-submarine-russia-helped-pyongyang-9876431/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-09 06:36:00