SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time, marking a significant escalation in its military capabilities and posing a potential security threat to South Korea and the United States.
State media released images on Saturday of what it described as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” coinciding with leader Kim Jong Un’s inspection of major shipbuilding facilities. The announcement underscores North Korea’s continued efforts to advance its military technology despite international sanctions.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not disclose specific details about the submarine but reported that Kim was briefed on its development. Military analysts believe the vessel could be a 6,000-ton to 7,000-ton class submarine, capable of carrying approximately ten missiles, including nuclear-capable weapons.
“The reference to ‘strategic guided missiles’ strongly suggests the submarine will be armed with nuclear-capable missiles, posing a serious threat to both South Korea and the U.S.,” said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert and professor at Seoul’s Hanyang University.
A nuclear-powered submarine was among the advanced weapons systems Kim Jong Un pledged to develop during a key political conference in 2021, citing growing military threats from the U.S. Other promised systems included solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests to achieve these capabilities.
The ability to launch missiles from underwater significantly complicates detection efforts, raising concerns among North Korea’s adversaries. Submarine-launched missiles are more difficult to track and intercept, giving Pyongyang a strategic advantage in potential conflicts.
Experts have questioned how North Korea, an economically isolated and heavily sanctioned nation, has managed to develop nuclear-powered submarines. Some analysts speculate that Pyongyang may have received technical assistance from Russia in exchange for conventional weapons and troop support for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.
If confirmed, North Korea’s possession of a nuclear-powered submarine would mark a major shift in the region’s security dynamics, prompting possible countermeasures from the U.S., South Korea, and their allies.
source:https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-nuclear-submarine-missiles-kim-us-183cde96a36844fdce559081551fc0a7
