New Images Unveiled of North Korea's First Nuclear-Powered Submarine
North Korea has recently unveiled images of a colossal new vessel that it claims to be its first nuclear-powered submarine. The size of this submarine is comparable to some of the attack submarines used by the United States.
The photographs, released to the public, depict North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scrutinizing the submarine, which is equipped with guided missiles, at an indoor construction facility. This is an indication that the submarine has not yet been launched.
The Strategic Importance of Nuclear-Powered Submarines
Kim Jong Un's aspirations to build a nuclear-powered submarine have been long-standing. The fact that its rival, South Korea, has recently been given approval to pursue its own nuclear-powered submarines seems to have hastened Kim's plans.
Nuclear-powered submarines offer several advantages. They can remain underwater for extended periods, even years if the submarine carries enough supplies for the crew. This is a stark contrast to traditionally powered submarines that need to surface to power their diesel engines, which also charge their batteries for deep-sea operations.
Moreover, nuclear-powered submarines are typically faster and quieter than their conventionally powered counterparts. Currently, only a handful of countries, including the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and India, have this advanced technology.
The Progress Made So Far
The recently released images indicate considerable progress in the construction of the submarine, the existence of which was first made public in March. The submarine reportedly displaces 8,700 tons, making it comparable to most of the nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarines in the US fleet.
Leader Kim Jong Un reiterated the importance of these submarines to the national defense policy, stating that it is "literally... based on the strongest offensive power." He further emphasized that a formidable offensive capability is the best shield for national security in developing the armed forces.
Reactions and Counteractions
Kim Jong Un expressed concern over South Korea's plans to build a nuclear-powered submarine, considering it a violation of North Korean security and a threat that needs to be countered. Nonetheless, critics argue that it is North Korea itself that exacerbates tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
One critic pointed out that it is North Korea that rejects diplomacy with Seoul, threatens its neighbors with nuclear weapons, and neglects its own people's welfare by allocating significant resources to military dictatorship rather than economic development.
North Korea's Military Expansion
Kim Jong Un has been supervising a substantial increase in his country's military capabilities. These include a range of missiles, including ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US mainland, hypersonic glide vehicles that could be challenging to defend against, and two new guided-missile destroyers at sea.
One of these destroyers made headlines earlier this year when it capsized on launch; however, it was subsequently refloated and apparently repaired. The construction of these destroyers and nuclear submarines marks "a significant advancement in strengthening the combat capabilities of our fleets," according to Kim Jong Un.
Despite these developments, critics have noted that North Korea's fleet remains inferior to South Korea's, which boasts some of the world's best guided-missile destroyers and new conventionally powered submarines.
Looking to the Future
North Korea's one potential advantage over South Korea may lie in having nuclear-powered submarines sooner. South Korea has desired such submarines for decades, but it was prevented from building them by a decades-old nuclear agreement with the US until recently.
However, the design and construction process could take a decade. In contrast, North Korea could potentially conduct missile tests with the submarine within the next two years after its launch, according to a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Interestingly, the new submarine was not the only development hinted at in the recently released images. Photographs from the event show Kim Jong Un accompanied by his daughter, raising speculations that he may be preparing a future successor.
