N. Korea reveals submarine development as Kim doubles down on nuclear arsenal

By AFP and Global Watch | 2025-03-10

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, state media reported on March 8, marking a potential leap in Pyongyang's military ambitions and raising fresh concerns about possible Russian assistance in developing weapons of mass destruction.

Kim visited shipyards focused on building warships, the Korean Central News Agency reported, without giving details of the exact date or location of the inspection.

Kim "learned about the building of a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine," the report said, which was one of Kim's key military goals on a laundry list of high tech weaponry unveiled at a previous party congress.

The report is likely referring to a nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles, Yonhap news agency reported, adding it was the first time the nuclear-armed North had revealed construction of a ballistic missile submarine.

'Inevitable' confrontation

Kim said the country's "sea defense capability... will be fully displayed in any necessary waters without limitation," KCNA said.

"The development of the naval force into an elite and nuclear-armed force constitutes an important content in the strategy for the development of the national defense," it added.

North Korea is estimated to have between 64 and 86 submarines, one of the world's largest fleets, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a US-based think tank.

However, specialists doubt if all of them are operational given their age, according to NTI.

The report comes a little over a month after Kim vowed that the country's nuclear program will continue indefinitely as a confrontation with its enemies is "inevitable."

The remarks by Kim, reported by state-run media on January 29, were made as he toured a nuclear-material production facility.

The report, and Kim's nuclear factory visit, follow Pyongyang's test-firing on January 25 of sea-to-surface strategic guided cruise missiles.

North Korea last year tested various nuclear-capable systems, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Such missiles have a minimum range of 5,500km and are primarily designed to deliver nuclear warheads.

Pact with Moscow

The submarine revelation comes as Pyongyang deepens its military ties with Moscow, fueling fears that technology transfers from Russia may be helping North Korea's weapon programs.

North Korea and Russia in November ratified a landmark defense pact, formalizing months of tightening military bonds between the two nations.

North Korea has also become one of the most vocal and main backers of Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

Seoul and its Western nations have long accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with artillery shells and missiles for use in Ukraine, but that support has escalated with the reported arrival of thousands of North Korean troops prepared to engage in combat.

In exchange for sending troops, Russia is offering North Korea technological support that could advance Pyongyang's nuclear weapon program, the West fears.