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North Korea Revealed Images Of The Construction Of The Country’s First “Nuclear” Submarine, An Ambitious Project Led Directly By Kim Jong-un. According To State Media KCNA, The North Korean Leader Personally Inspected The Shipyard Where The Vessel Is Being Assembled, Reinforcing His Intent To Transform The Nation Into An Advanced Maritime Power.
Military analysts point out that the new submarine may weigh between 6,000 and 7,000 tons and be capable of carrying up to 10 strategic missiles, possibly equipped with nuclear warheads. The construction of this new vessel could represent a milestone for the North Korean navy, significantly increasing its deterrence capability against the U.S. and its allies.
The images released by KCNA show Kim Jong-un visiting the facility where the submarine is being built, accompanied by military officials and naval engineers. Although few technical details have been revealed, experts estimate that the submarine will have a much higher capacity than the current North Korean fleet, which is primarily composed of aging diesel-powered vessels.
The term “strategic guided missiles” used by KCNA suggests that the submarine could carry nuclear weapons, making it a potentially greater threat to regional security. With this new technology, North Korea would expand its ability to launch attacks from the sea, making early detection by rivals more difficult.
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The Danger Of North Korean Submarine Strategic Missiles
The possibility of North Korea possessing a submarine capable of launching long-range strategic missiles significantly increases concerns for the U.S. and South Korea. Currently, most of the North Korean ballistic arsenal is land-based, making launches more predictable and easier to track.
If the new submarine can operate efficiently, it could launch stealthy attacks, emerging from submerged bases without being detected. This strategic shift would elevate the level of tension in the region and force neighboring countries to bolster their naval and missile defense systems.
Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert, stated that a submarine of this size would be “absolutely threatening” to Western allies, especially because the response time against an attack launched from the sea is significantly shorter.
Russian Support? The Suspicions About The Technology
One of the biggest questions raised by military analysts is how North Korea managed to develop this technology. Although the country has one of the largest submarine fleets in the world, most vessels are old and unable to launch missiles.
Moon Keun-sik pointed out that Russia may have provided technical assistance for the development of a nuclear reactor that will power the submarine. This possible agreement could be related to sending North Korean troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine.
If this collaboration is confirmed, it would indicate a new level of cooperation between the two countries, with direct implications for global security.
