Archive · 27 Dec 2025
North Korea Advances Nuclear Submarine Amid Russia Ties
North Korea is building a big submarine that runs on nuclear power.
Their leader, Kim Jong Un, said this is important for their military.
He also criticized South Korea for trying to get similar submarines, calling it a threat.
Experts think the submarine might be ready for testing soon.
North Korea has been working on many advanced weapons, and this submarine is one of them.
North Korea has also sent thousands of troops to help Russia in the Ukraine war.
They have shared soldiers and weapons with Russia, and in return, Russia is sending North Korea money, technology, and food.
There are concerns about how North Korea, which is under many sanctions, got the technology and resources to build such a submarine.
Some think they might have gotten help from Russia.
Meanwhile, tensions between North and South Korea have been getting worse, and North Korea has been testing new missiles.
North Korea displayed progress in building an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-propelled submarine.
Kim Jong Un criticized South Korea's plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, calling it a threat.
Experts believe the submarine could be ready for sea trials within months.
North Korea has been developing various advanced weapons, including missiles and spy satellites.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have worsened, with North Korea dismissing calls for denuclearization talks.
North Korea sent thousands of troops to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war, with at least nine troops killed in the Kursk region.
North Korea has increased missile testing and sent military aid to Russia, receiving financial aid, military technology, and food and energy supplies in return.
- Who
- North Korea, led by Kim Jong Un
- What
- Construction of a nuclear-powered submarine and military cooperation with Russia
- When
- Construction progress displayed on Thursday, troops sent to Russia in August 2025
- Where
- Shipyard in North Korea, Kursk region in Russia
- Why
- To modernize and nuclear-arm North Korea's navy and support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine
- Submarine Type
- 8,700-ton-class nuclear-propelled submarine
- Leader
- Kim Jong Un
- Submarine Purpose
- Strategic guided missile submarine
- South Korea's Plan
- Acquire nuclear-powered submarines
- US Involvement
- Open to sharing technology
- Recent Tests
- New antiair missiles
- Tensions
- Worsened in recent years
- Troops Sent to Russia
- Thousands of troops
- Casualties in Kursk
- At least nine troops killed
- Military Aid to Russia
- Artillery shells, missiles, long-range rocket systems
- Aid from Russia
- Financial aid, military technology, food, energy supplies
Sources
North Korea Displays Progress On Its First Nuclear-Powered Submarine
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Signals Continued Missile Development In Next 5 Years
Kim Jong Un Stresses Shared Bloodshed In New Year Message To Putin