North Korea building nuclear-powered submarine, KCNA reports

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, emphasizing that the country will assert its maritime defense capabilities to an “arbitrary level,” North Korea’s state media reported on March 8.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim conducted an on-site inspection of shipbuilding projects at key naval shipyards.

While the report did not specify the exact location or timing of the visit, it stated that Kim reviewed the progress of the construction of a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine”—a project initiated in line with decisions made at the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party.

Photographs released by state media showed Kim inspecting both surface warships and a submarine under construction.

Kim Calls for Strengthening Nuclear Deterrence Against “Gunboat Diplomacy”

During his visit, Kim underscored the need for North Korea’s naval fleet to serve as a “powerful deterrent” against hostile forces.

“Our revolutionary warships must fulfill their mission as the invincible nuclear deterrent that counters the hostile forces’ habitual ‘gunboat diplomacy,'” Kim stated.

He also warned that North Korea would not tolerate the continued maritime and underwater military activities of adversaries, which he claimed pose a serious threat to the nation’s sovereignty and interests.

“With a significant transformation in naval power, we will establish clear maritime superiority and ensure the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region,” Kim added.

North Korea Pursues Concurrent Modernization of Surface and Submarine Forces

Kim outlined the strategic direction for naval development, emphasizing the simultaneous modernization of surface and underwater vessels while enhancing their operational capabilities. He reportedly set out future plans for naval expansion, phase-by-phase objectives, and defense economic policies required to achieve these goals.

During his inspection, Kim reviewed the current status of shipbuilding projects, technological advancements at shipyards, and modernization efforts, assessing whether they aligned with the targets set at the Eighth Party Congress.

He also praised progress in constructing “the most powerful combat ships” and expressed confidence that North Korea will be able to deploy these warships into active operations within the shortest possible timeframe.

North Korea’s Longstanding Ambitions for Nuclear-Powered Submarines

At the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party in January 2021, North Korea announced a five-year defense development plan, which included nuclear-powered submarines and underwater nuclear strategic weapons as key objectives.

However, little information has been disclosed about progress in the development of nuclear-powered submarines since then.

While North Korea has frequently showcased its ballistic missile submarine program, no verifiable evidence has emerged confirming the completion or operational deployment of a nuclear-powered submarine. Analysts believe that technical, financial, and geopolitical challenges may be hindering the project’s full realization.

By Mooyoung Lee [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]