North Korea Advances Nuclear Submarine Development as Kim Jong Un Criticizes Rival Efforts
North Korea showcases a nearly complete hull of an 8,700-ton-class nuclear submarine as Kim Jong Un criticizes South Korea's similar tech amid naval modernization efforts.
RedStateNorth Korea's New Nuke Sub: Hull of Fame or Another Fizzle?
FOX NewsNorth Korea releases images of development of nuclear-powered submarine
Epoch TimesNorth Korea’s Kim Watches Long-Range Missile Test and Nuclear Submarine Progress: State Media
Associated PressNorth Korea displays apparent progress in construction of nuclear-powered submarine
Overview
North Korea publicly advances its naval program by displaying a nearly complete hull of an 8,700-ton-class nuclear submarine, signaling progress amid ongoing modernization.
Kim Jong Un criticizes South Korea's similar submarine tech programs, framing rival efforts as a threat to regional security and highlighting Pyongyang's focus on nuclear capabilities.
State media released updated photos on Christmas Day showing the submarine's development, marking the first update since March when only lower sections were visible.
Trump announced plans to share U.S. technology with South Korea for building a nuclear-powered submarine, but details on construction and technology transfer remain unclear.
Analysts say the developments underscore growing naval competition and could affect regional security dynamics as both sides pursue advanced undersea capabilities.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by emphasizing the strategic implications of North Korea's submarine development. They use terms like "epoch-making" and "worrying development" to highlight potential threats. The narrative is structured to underscore regional tensions, with selective emphasis on Kim's condemnation of South Korea's actions and the geopolitical dynamics involving Russia and the U.S.
FAQ
North Korea is constructing an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) capable of launching submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads and remaining submerged for extended periods.
State media released photos on December 25, 2025, showing a nearly complete hull, marking the first update since March 2025 when only lower sections were visible.
North Korea's submarine is expected to become operational earlier than South Korea's, which plans to build 5,000-ton class or larger submarines starting in the mid-2030s, with deployment taking at least 10 years after nuclear fuel transfer negotiations conclude within two years.
Kim Jong Un criticized South Korea's similar submarine technology programs, framing them as a threat to regional security while highlighting North Korea's focus on nuclear capabilities.
Equipped with long-range SLBMs, it could advance into the East Sea, placing the U.S. West Coast and Pacific Ocean within strike range, escalating naval competition and regional security dynamics.
