North Korea presented its own nuclear-powered submarine under construction for the first time, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency notes that this weapons system could pose a serious threat to the security of South Korea and the United States.
North Korean state media today published photos showing what it called a “strategic nuclear-powered guided missile submarine“, reporting on visits by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to large shipyards where military ships.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not provide details about the submarine, but said Kim had been briefed on its construction.
The warship appears to be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton class that can carry about 10 missiles, said Moon Kun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert who teaches at Seoul's Hanyang University. He said the use of the term "strategic guided missiles" means the submarine will be equipped with weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
“That would be absolutely threatening to us and the United States,” Moon said.
Questions have been raised about how North Korea, a heavily sanctioned and impoverished country, could obtain the resources and technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Submarine expert Moon said North Korea may have received Russian technological assistance to build a nuclear reactor to be used on the submarine in exchange for the supply of conventional weapons and the sending of North Korean troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine.