Shadows to Hide the “Crescent of Enemies”: Kim Hints at Deploying Nuclear Submarines
The North Korean leader has hinted at the deployment of nuclear submarines, a threat that follows a recent warning from his sister to South Korea and the United States.
Kim Jong-un inspected a nuclear-powered submarine construction project, according to North Korean state media on Saturday.
During his visit, Kim emphasized that the “radical” strengthening of his country’s navy is a key pillar of Pyongyang’s defense policy.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim visited military shipyards, without providing further details on the date or location of the visit.
It stated that he “reviewed the construction of a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” which is one of the key military objectives listed among the advanced weaponry projects unveiled at a previous ruling party congress.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency suggested that the North Korean report referred to a nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles. This marks the first time Pyongyang, a nuclear-armed military power, has explicitly mentioned constructing such a vessel.
“Without Restriction”
KCNA quoted Kim as saying: “Naval defense capabilities… will be fully demonstrated in any necessary waters, without restriction.”
He stressed that “developing naval power into a nuclear-armed elite force is a key pillar of the national defense development strategy.”
In 2013, North Korean state media previously announced the launch of the country’s first “tactical nuclear attack submarine.”
However, at the time, the South Korean military cast doubt on whether the submarine was actually operational.
According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a U.S.-based research center, North Korea is believed to have between 64 and 86 submarines, though experts question the operational capability of the entire fleet.
“Crescent of Enemies”
Relations between the two Koreas have hit an unprecedented low in recent years, with South Korea accusing the North of sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine war.
Last week, Pyongyang test-fired strategic cruise missiles in the Yellow Sea, stating that the move was intended to demonstrate its ability to carry out a “counterattack.”
A few days ago, Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korea’s leader, threatened provocative actions in response to the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in South Korea.
She described U.S. military activities as “a hysteria of confrontation led by the United States and its followers.”
The Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States are set to begin later in March.
Recently, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson docked at Busan, South Korea—a move that North Korea strongly condemned.
