North Korea revealed the development of the country’s first nuclear-powered submarine, marking a bold leap in its military ambitions.
On March 8, Kim Jong-un reportedly visited undisclosed shipyards, where he was photographed with a large vessel that North Korea referred to as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.”
If operational, the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) would enhance North Korea’s second-strike capability. However, experts are skeptical about the true capabilities of the vessel.
This is because producing an operational SSBN could take many years, according to author Thomas Newdick. Furthermore, Pyongyang often exaggerates its military capabilities as a form of propaganda.
However, Robert Peters mentioned in a report from the Heritage Foundation in October 2024 that North Korea has been pursuing nuclear submarine propulsion technology for over a decade.
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