This will be North Korea’s first nuclear submarine, the strategic weapon with which Kim will change the military balance

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The images broadcast by the regime’s media show a Oversized burgundy hull that is under construction. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that it is a nuclear submarine of 8,700 tons displacementsomething that places it far above any submarine currently operated by Pyongyang.

As the AP agency recalls, in 2021 Kim Jong-un mentioned to nuclear powered submarine on the list of sophisticated weapons that North Korea then he aspired to have, to face what he called the growing US-led military threats. Other weapons on the list are solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites and multi-warhead missiles.

In the case of submarinethe big unknown is knowing if you already have a working nuclear reactorwhich is the key piece. Analysts consulted by the AP They suspect that North Korea may have sought one in RussiaKim ally, possibly from a retired submarine. But it is also possible that North Korea designed its own reactor, with probable technological assistance from Russia.

Why is it a huge leap to have a nuclear powered submarine? Basically for the stealthas it can remain submerged for long periods of time and move far from the coasts of North Korea, making it a platform difficult to detect and neutralize.

In strategic terms, Having such a submarine would allow North Korea to aspire to the so-called second strike capability.which is the ability to launch nuclear missiles even after having suffered a devastating attack on the ground.

The latter is the same key concept embodied in the nuclear doctrines of the United States, Russia and Chinathe largest atomic powers in the world.

Submarine race on the Korean Peninsula and Russian support

For the specialist in defense and intelligence issues Andrés Gómez de la Torrethe project of propulsion submarine nuclear of North Korea must be read within the scope of an arms race on the Korean peninsulawith an increasingly marked focus on the submarine force.

As explained to The Commerceat the conventional level—non-nuclear— North Korea maintains a quantitative advantage over South Koreawhile Seoul advances in a modernization of its capabilities with direct support from the United Stateswhich promotes the development of a South Korean nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

In parallel, Gómez de la Torre emphasizes that North Korea has become a key strategic partner of Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine. Remember that, after signing the Strategic Partnership Treaty of 2024Pyongyang would have sent more than 10,000 North Korean troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the region of Kurskin addition to providing logistical and military support.

In this context, the analyst maintains that Russian assistance in the submarine field cannot be ruled outespecially if historical precedents are considered. “The former Soviet Union and later Russia supported India in the development of its submarine force”he points out, and suggests that a similar process could be occurring with North Korea, as a counterweight to US support for South Korea.

Gómez de la Torre highlights that Russia has long been taking the strategic risk of militarily strengthening North Koreaa relationship that includes transfer of technology, drones and other military equipment.

He warns that, although Pyongyang has officially defined the project as a strategic and non-tactical submarinethe information available is scarce.

Clarifies that a real strategic submarine should be accompanied by ballistic missiles with nuclear warheadsa much greater technological challenge. “There are nuclear-powered submarines with conventional weapons; not necessarily nuclear ones,” he points out, marking a key difference.

In the opinion of Gómez de la Torre, There is not enough information to confidently assess the scope of the project.which for now is a first prototype still under construction. Even if it operates, he maintains, a single submarine would not decisively alter the regional military balance: “for this a larger fleet would be necessary.”

At this point, it should be noted that the United States has about 14 submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons, while Russia has 12.

Considers that the advertisement fulfills above all a function of deterrence and information warfaretypical of the North Korean regime, characterized by secrecy and strategic ambiguity.

Gómez de la Torre calls for caution and says that beyond the political impact of the announcement, the actual projection of the North Korean nuclear submarine remains uncertain and, for now, its value seems to be more in the message than in the effective capacity.

North Korea’s most powerful weapons

The most powerful weapons you have North Korea not only are they the most destructivebut those that guarantee the survival of the regime. Intercontinental missiles, nuclear weapons, emerging submarine capabilities and cyber attacks form an arsenal designed to avoid being attacked; that is, its objective is deterrence.

1. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM)

The intercontinental ballistic missiles They are the jewel of the North Korean arsenal. Models like the Hwasong-18 and Hwasong-17 are designed to achieve continental United Stateswhich turns the country into a global strategic threat.

The Hwasong-18, powered by solid fuelrepresents a key advance, as it can be launched with less preparation time, making it difficult to detect and neutralize.

2. Nuclear weapons

Although the exact number is unknown, international estimates indicate that North Korea has some 50 nuclear warheads. The regime has carried out multiple underground nuclear tests and claims to have miniaturized their heads to mount them on missiles.

North Korean nuclear weapons fulfill what the regime seeks: prevent any attempt to change the government by military means from abroad and force its adversaries to treat Pyongyang as a de facto nuclear actor.

3. Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM)

The submarine-launched ballistic missileslike the series Pukguksongexpand North Korean attack capacity to the maritime sphere.

4. Hypersonic missiles

North Korea has tried hypersonic missilescapable of maneuvering at high speed and evading anti-missile defenses. Although analysts debate its actual degree of sophistication, the message is: Pyongyang seeks overcome the defensive shields of the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Even limited versions of this technology seriously complicate existing defense systems in the region.

5. Long-range artillery

Outside the nuclear field, one of the most feared weapons in North Korea is still your powerful conventional artillerydeployed near the border. Thousands of pieces can reach the metropolitan area of Seoulone of the most densely populated urban areas in the world.

Although it is not the most modern weapon, its ability to cause immediate massive damage It gives it enormous deterrent weight in any crisis scenario.

6. Cyber ​​weapons

North Korea has also developed a offensive capability in cyberspace. Its hackers have been linked to million-dollar thefts, espionage and attacks on digital infrastructures.

These operations fulfill a double objective: finance the military program under international sanctions and demonstrate that Pyongyang can hit its adversaries without firing a single missile.