North Korea released photographs Thursday showing what appears to be a largely completed nuclear-powered submarine hull, as leader Kim Jong-un blasted South Korea's push to acquire similar technology. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited a shipyard to inspect construction of what North Korea describes as an 8,700-tonne nuclear-propelled submarine. Moon believes the North Korean submarine could possibly be tested at sea within months. Questions have persisted about whether North Korea, a heavily sanctioned country, could obtain resources and technology to build nuclear-powered submarines. Whilst some analysts suspect North Korea may have sought a reactor from Russia, possibly from a retired Russian submarine, Moon said it is more likely North Korea designed its own reactor, whilst possibly receiving technological assistance from Russia.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 25, 2025 22:10 UTC