In March, North Korean state media​ carried photos showing such a vessel under construction. The unveiling on Thursday indicated that North Korea ​was making progress, although it has yet to announce when it expects to finish and deploy the vessel. North Korea has been testing various submarine-launched missiles and torpedoes in recent years, claiming that they were built to deliver nuclear warheads. It compels North Korea to accelerate “the modernisation and nuclear weaponisation of the naval force,” he said. North Korea is expected to hold its party congress early next year.

Source: Bangkok Post December 25, 2025 08:03 UTC