Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine, warning that his country's maritime defense capability will be "fully" projected "in any necessary waters without limitation," the North's state media reported Saturday. Kim made the remark when he visited major shipyards tasked with constructing warships.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim reviewed "a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine" under construction, in line with a defense decision unveiled at a key party congress in 2021. The report did not disclose the date and location of his inspection. This marks the first time North Korea has publicly revealed the construction of a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and the ship's appearance.
A nuclear-powered submarine is among the sophisticated weapons systems that Kim vowed to develop during the party congress. They include spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. Kim emphasized the need to develop "overwhelming warships" as a powerful deterrent to contain "gunboat diplomacy" of hostile forces.
The KCNA reported that Kim asserted North Korea would not remain passive to the naval and underwater military activities of enemies that threaten the DPRK's sovereignty and interests by deploying large numbers of strategic assets. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Kim further stated that the DPRK's sea defense capability, which plays a crucial role in defending peace on the Korean Peninsula and the region, will be fully displayed in necessary waters without limitation. The North's leader also set out a task to modernize the country's maritime and underwater naval vessels, including a goal to develop and possess advanced warships.
In September 2023, North Korea unveiled what it claimed was its first tactical nuclear attack submarine capable of executing an underwater nuclear attack. At that time, Kim announced plans to build more submarines, including a nuclear-powered one.