North Korea Unveiled Nuclear-powered Submarine First Time

News Summary

North Korea has revealed a nuclear-powered submarine under construction for the first time, posing a significant security threat to South Korea and the U.S.

North Korea's state media on Saturday released photos of the vessel, calling it a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” but provided few details.

Experts believe it is a 6,000-7,000-ton-class submarine capable of carrying about 10 nuclear-capable missiles, heightening regional security concerns.

Commentary

Kim Jong Un has showcased North Korea’s nuclear capabilities to the world as he grapples with mounting challenges.

With his regime plagued by economic failure and growing public outrage over troop deployments to Russia, he remains fixated on expanding his nuclear arsenal, convinced it is the key to his survival.

Though it remains unclear whether Russia has provided North Korea with critical nuclear submarine technology, the development highlights the deepening military ties between the two nations.

Despite Kim’s relentless pursuit of nuclear power to shield his regime from external threats, even at the cost of sacrificing thousands of North Korean soldiers in the Russia-Ukraine war, he fails to see that its greatest threat comes from within.

While Kim pours every resource into nuclear expansion, his regime is crumbling from the inside out more quickly than he anticipated.