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Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Russia and North Korea have maintained a close relationship over the past year. It all began in April 2024, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen in an armored limousine adorned with a Moscow ribbon. Since then, the two nations have exchanged a range of items, including tigers, bears, crude oil, missiles, and soldiers.
Although there’s been no official confirmation from the Kremlin, it appears that fears from the U.S. and its allies regarding North Korea’s nuclear capabilities being enhanced with Russian assistance are becoming a reality.
First nuclear-powered submarine. North Korea confirmed on Saturday that it’s constructing its first nuclear-powered submarine, aimed at strengthening the country’s atomic strike capability. A report released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency included images of the North Korean leader inspecting a component of the new submarine, which is significantly larger than the ones currently held by the nation.
The announcement occured amid rising international concern, particularly from the U.S. and South Korea. Both nations are apprehensive that Russia is providing technological support to North Korea to modernize its military in exchange for troops and conventional weapons for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Context. During a recent visit to an unidentified naval shipyard, Kim received a progress report on the construction of a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.” The state media agency also released photographs of the submarine’s hull under construction, marking the first time North Korea has provided visual evidence of this kind of project.
North Korea currently possesses dozens of Soviet-era submarines, all of which are diesel-electric. This design requires them to surface frequently to recharge their batteries, limiting their operational range and stealth on long-range missions. The development of a nuclear-powered submarine would represent a significant shift, enabling Pyongyang to operate covertly in distant waters. This would also mean North Korea can approach strategic targets undetected, and launch nuclear missiles from unexpected positions if necessary.
Possible specs. Experts suggest that the submarine may fall within the 6,000 to 7,000-ton class and could carry up to 10 missiles. According to Moon Keun-sik, a submarine specialist and professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, the report’s mention of “strategic guided missiles” implies that the vessel is designed to carry nuclear weapons. If true, this would substantially enhance North Korea’s strike capabilities.
If the project comes to fruition, it’d allow North Korea to launch missiles from a submerged platform, making it harder for its adversaries to detect potential attacks in advance. The National Security Council acknowledged awareness of North Korea’s claims but didn’t provide further details. Spokesman Brian Hughes said, “The U.S. remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”
Kim’s wish list. Since 2021, the North Korean leader has identified the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine as one of his defense policy priorities. However, analysts have previously pointed out that North Korea has lacked the technical and engineering capabilities to develop a compact nuclear reactor suitable for powering a submarine.
That year, Kim presented a “wish list” that included solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, multiple nuclear warhead missiles, and, notably, nuclear-powered submarines. What’s changed? The answer lies with Russia.
Russia enters the scene. With increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, Russia may provide technological assistance in exchange for the thousands of troops and large quantities of ammunition that North Korea has supplied to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, this strategic exchange could significantly accelerate North Korea’s development of a nuclear-powered submarine.
Moon says that Russia is likely providing technological support, possibly in constructing a compact nuclear reactor to power the submarine. The submarine expert even estimates that if North Korea succeeds in its development efforts, the submarine could be tested within the next one to two years before it becomes operational.
The 2023 precedent. The announcement of a new submarine follows North Korea’s unveiling of its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine” in 2023. This model is based on an old Soviet-era diesel submarine that has supposedly been modified to launch nuclear missiles.
However, the South Korean military expressed skepticism about the submarine’s viability, noting that its design appears flawed and possibly inoperable. There’s no evidence that North Korea has successfully launched missiles from that platform. In contrast, the new submarine is reported to be larger than the 2023 model. The fact that it’s been described as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” suggests that it might be capable of launching both nuclear ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Strategic implications and dangers. If North Korea successfully develops an operational nuclear-powered submarine, it’d significantly alter the military balance in the region. This kind of development would enhance Pyongyang’s ability to conduct surprise attacks and make its launch platforms harder to detect. Moreover, the potential for increased military cooperation between Russia and North Korea raises serious concerns for the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. These nations could face a more sophisticated and difficult-to-counter threat in the coming years.
Doubts remain about North Korea’s actual ability to complete a nuclear-powered submarine without foreign assistance. However, the strengthening relationship with Moscow suggests that Kim’s regime may be closer than ever to achieving a strategic weapon to enhance its deterrence and extortion power in global geopolitics.
Image | Prachatai
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