North Korea Reveals the Finished Hull of Its Claimed Nuclear Submarine
The competition for military dominance between North and South Korea has extended to maritime capabilities, as North Korea on Thursday criticized the South’s initiative to create a nuclear-powered submarine, deeming it a security menace, while showcasing the finished hull of its own nuclear submarine, which is currently being developed. Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had identified the construction of a nuclear submarine as one of his primary military objectives during a Workers’ Party congress in 2021. In March, state media in North Korea released images depicting this type of vessel being built. On Thursday, the state outlets broadcast images of Mr. Kim examining the finished hull of what is referred to as a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine. External analysts and officials have long expressed doubts about how promptly North Korea can gain access to the intricate technologies and components required for a nuclear submarine, as well as how and where it would procure the compact nuclear reactor essential for its operation. The presentation on Thursday suggested that North Korea was advancing in this area, even though it has yet to provide a timeline for when the submarine will be completed and operational. “The completed and welded hull indicates that they have likely already installed a nuclear reactor inside,” stated Hong Min, a military expert focusing on North Korea at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a think tank supported by the government in Seoul. Mr. Hong speculated that North Korea might be receiving technological assistance from Russia in exchange for deploying troops and supplies to support Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine. Military specialists noted that the North Korean submarine seems to be designed for launching ballistic and cruise missiles, in addition to carrying torpedoes. Over recent years, North Korea has conducted tests on various submarine-launched missiles and torpedoes, asserting that these were designed to deliver nuclear warheads. It has claimed that its nuclear development endeavors are warranted due to an escalating military threat perceived from the United States and its allies in Asia, namely Japan and South Korea. On Thursday, Pyongyang expressed its displeasure regarding the arrival of the U.S.S. Greeneville, a Los Angeles-class American nuclear-powered attack submarine, at a naval facility in Busan, located at the southeastern corner of South Korea this week. The South Korean Navy indicated that the American submarine visited the port to restock supplies and give its crew a break. North Korea’s Defense Ministry described this as “a serious act that disrupts stability and heightens military tensions.” Furthermore, on the same day, North Korea announced that Mr. Kim observed the initial testing of a new high-altitude, long-range surface-to-air missile currently in development. During a test executed on Wednesday, the missiles successfully struck mock targets at heights reaching 124 miles, according to their reports. The South Korean military verified the launch of several land-to-air missiles by the North but withheld further specifics. In November, the United States consented to assist South Korea in constructing its first nuclear-powered submarine to bolster its naval capabilities for patrolling the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula. South Korea stated that its nuclear-powered submarines would not be armed with nuclear weapons, asserting that there is no requirement for them to develop nuclear arms, as the United States provides a nuclear-umbrella safeguard. However, Mr. Kim has characterized the South Korean nuclear submarine initiative as “an aggressive move” and “a threat to its security that necessitates a response.” He stated that this compels North Korea to hasten “the modernization and nuclear arming of its naval force.” These initiatives from Mr. Kim have intensified since the commencement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Kim has been aiding Russia’s military operations by dispatching troops and substantial quantities of artillery shells, missiles, and other armaments. Analysts and intelligence officials in South Korea have indicated that Russia has reciprocated by supplying North Korea with fuel and sustenance, in addition to resources and technologies aimed at modernizing its military, including its aging naval and air-defense systems. North Korea is anticipated to conduct its party congress early next year. This congress, which convenes once every five years, is regarded as the most critical political gathering in North Korea, where Mr. Kim is expected to showcase his military accomplishments and establish new policy objectives for the next five years.
Published: 2025-12-25 05:28:00
source: www.nytimes.com
