North Korea unveils nuclear submarine under construction for first time

This was reported by Associated Press, Yonhap, citing North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.

According to AP, the nuclear submarine could pose a serious security threat to South Korea and the United States.

On Saturday, KCNA published a photo of what it called a nuclear strategic guided missile submarine, reporting on Kim Jong-un's visit to a key shipyard where warships are being built.

KCNA did not share details about the submarine but stated that Kim was briefed on its progress.

A submarine weighing between 6,000 and 7,000 tons could carry around 10 missiles, a South Korean submarine expert and professor at Seoul National University said. He noted that the term "strategic guided missile" suggests it will be armed with nuclear weapons.

This is the first time North Korea has publicly shown the construction and appearance of the vessel.

During the inspection, Kim reportedly reviewed the nuclear strategic guided missile submarine, built under a defense directive issued at the 2021 ruling party congress.

The nuclear submarine is part of a broader lineup of advanced weapons systems Kim promised to develop at the congress, including reconnaissance satellites and solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles.

In September 2023, North Korea unveiled what it claimed was its first tactical nuclear submarine, designed for underwater nuclear attacks. At the time, Kim announced plans to build more submarines, including nuclear-powered ones.

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