North Korea has released images of what it claims to be its first nuclear-powered submarine, a colossal vessel that rivals the size of many U.S. attack submarines. The photos show Kim Jong Un smiling beside the massive hull in a covered shipyard, flanked by top officials. According to state media, this project marks a significant leap in the nation’s ability to deploy nuclear weapons at sea.
The submarine is described as an 8,700-ton class vessel, placing it in the same weight range as the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines. Such a size suggests the potential for more powerful reactors and longer-range missiles, although these specifics remain unverified. Foreign journalists have not been allowed access to the site, and the images released by the Korean Central News Agency cannot be independently confirmed.
A Massive Submarine Under Construction
Official images show the submarine resting on supports inside a large assembly hall rather than floating at a dock. This detail indicates that the vessel has not yet been launched and is still under construction. The hull is coated with a reddish anti-corrosion paint, a standard step before a ship is launched.
North Korean media claim the new vessel has a displacement of 8,700 tons and will be powered by a nuclear reactor. This would make it similar in size to many American attack submarines, designed to travel stealthily over long distances and remain submerged for extended periods. For a country that until recently relied on much smaller, diesel-powered submarines, this represents a striking visual shift.
The Implications of Nuclear Propulsion at Sea
A nuclear-powered submarine uses a small reactor to heat water and drive turbines, generating energy without the need to burn diesel fuel. This setup allows the vessel to stay underwater for months, with the crew’s endurance and food supplies being the primary limits rather than fuel. For neighbors like South Korea and Japan, this also means a platform that’s harder to track in already tense waters.
According to North Korean statements, the new vessel is intended to serve as a strategic guided-missile submarine and a strategic nuclear attack submarine. In plain terms, officials indicate it’s designed to carry nuclear missiles that can be launched from beneath the surface. Launches from a hidden submarine are much harder to detect and intercept, adding a new dimension to regional tensions.
