Sat Mar 08 08:29:22 UTC 2025: ## North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine, Heightening Regional Tensions

**Seoul, South Korea – March 8, 2025** – North Korea has revealed its first nuclear-powered submarine, a significant escalation in its military capabilities and a major security concern for South Korea and the United States. State media released photographs showing Kim Jong Un inspecting the submarine under construction at a shipyard.

While specifics remain scarce, South Korean submarine expert Moon Keun-sik estimates the vessel to be a 6,000-7,000 tonne submarine capable of carrying approximately 10 nuclear-capable missiles. The use of “strategic guided missiles” confirms the submarine’s nuclear weapon capacity, posing a serious threat, according to Mr. Moon.

This development fulfills a 2021 pledge by Kim Jong Un to develop advanced weaponry, including solid-fuelled ICBMs and hypersonic weapons, in response to perceived U.S. military threats. The ability to launch missiles from underwater significantly complicates detection and response efforts.

Questions arise regarding how North Korea, under heavy sanctions, acquired the necessary technology and resources. Mr. Moon suggests Russia may have provided technological assistance in exchange for military support in the Ukraine conflict. He predicts a potential launch and capability test within one to two years.

While North Korea possesses a large fleet of diesel-powered submarines, these are largely outdated and limited to torpedoes and mines. A previous claim in 2023 of a “tactical nuclear attack submarine” is considered dubious by foreign experts, likely referring to a diesel-powered model.

The unveiling coincides with heightened rhetoric from North Korea against the U.S. and South Korea, ahead of joint military exercises scheduled to begin March 10th. Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to modernize both surface and underwater warships to counter what he called “inveterate gunboat diplomacy.” The new submarine marks a substantial advancement in North Korea’s military arsenal and significantly raises regional tensions.

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