North Korea recently unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, potentially posing a major security threat to South Korea and the U.S. The 6,000 to 7,000-ton-class submarine is said to carry nuclear-capable weapons and is part of Kim Jong Un’s efforts to introduce sophisticated weaponry in response to escalating U.S.-led military threats. North Korea has been testing various new weapons systems, including solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons.
Concerns have been raised regarding how North Korea, a heavily sanctioned and impoverished country, could acquire the resources and technology needed to build a nuclear-powered submarine. It is speculated that they may have received Russian technological assistance in exchange for conventional weapons and troops to support Russia’s efforts against Ukraine.
While North Korea already has a large fleet of aging diesel-powered submarines, this new nuclear-powered submarine represents a significant advancement in their capabilities. Despite previous claims of launching a tactical nuclear attack submarine in 2023, experts are skeptical of the actual deployment of such a vessel.
North Korea has conducted numerous underwater-launched ballistic missile tests in recent years, utilizing a smaller test platform submarine. The country has been increasing its fiery rhetoric against the U.S. and South Korea, particularly ahead of their annual military drills. Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to modernize both water-surface and underwater warships to counter hostile forces’ gunboat diplomacy.
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