The development comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un strongly condemned South Korea's efforts to acquire similar submarine technology, calling it a threat to Pyongyang's security.
The images released on Thursday depict what North Korean state media described as an 8,700‑ton class nuclear‑propelled submarine, with key components such as the engine and possibly the reactor seemingly installed. Kim visited the shipyard to inspect the vessel, accompanied by top military officials and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
According to reports, Kim emphasized the strategic importance of the submarine to North Korea's defense capabilities and accused South Korea of threatening regional stability by pursuing its own nuclear submarine program.
He argued that the United States' support for Seoul's efforts, including backing from the U.S. President Donald Trump justified North Korea's push to strengthen its own naval nuclear capabilities.
North Korea has long prioritized expanding its military arsenal, and this submarine project is part of a broader initiative outlined by Kim in recent years that also includes solid‑fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and satellite systems.
Officials described the vessel as a key part of enhancing the country's nuclear deterrent, enabling stealthier launch capabilities from underwater.
Experts assessing the images say it remains unclear how close the submarine is to operational readiness, but the public disclosure itself marks a significant step in Pyongyang's naval development efforts.
The project has raised concerns among regional neighbors and international observers about further escalation of military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim's criticism reflects deepening frustration in Pyongyang over increased military cooperation between South Korea and the United States, especially regarding advanced submarine technology, which has historically been tightly controlled.
The U.S. has reportedly agreed to share some technology that could enable Seoul to build nuclear‑powered submarines, a move that Pyongyang views as a direct challenge to its security.
The unveiling of the submarine progress arrives amid ongoing political and military tensions across the region, as North Korea continues its weapons development programs while resisting international pressure to halt or scale back its nuclear ambitions.
Rania Umutoni
