North Korea has announced the construction of a missile frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine

North Korea has announced the construction of a missile frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine, as reported by AP, NBC News and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Moon Geun-sik, a submarine expert and professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, believes that North Korea’s first nuclear-powered submarine could carry about ten missiles. He also noted that the term “strategic guided missiles” suggests these could be equipped with nuclear warheads.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not provide specific details about the submarine but stated that Kim Jong-un was briefed on its construction.

According to Moon Keun-sik, the vessel appears to be in the 6,000- to 7,000-ton class and capable of carrying about 10 missiles. He noted that the term “strategic guided missiles” suggests the submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable weapons.

“This would pose a significant threat to both South Korea and the United States,” Moon said.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes acknowledged the reports, stating, “We are aware of these claims but do not have additional information to provide at this time.”

“The United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea,” Hughes added.

A nuclear-powered submarine was among the advanced weapons that Kim Jong-un pledged to develop during a major political conference in 2021, citing increasing U.S.-led military threats. Other weapons on his list included solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted numerous tests to advance these technologies.

The prospect of North Korea gaining the capability to launch missiles from underwater is particularly concerning, as such launches are harder for adversaries to detect in advance.

This has also raised questions about how North Korea—an impoverished nation under heavy international sanctions—has acquired the resources and technology needed to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

Moon speculated that North Korea may have received technological support from Russia in exchange for supplying conventional weapons and troops to aid Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

He also suggested that North Korea could launch the submarine within the next year or two for testing before it becomes fully operational.

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