North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a facility assembling nuclear-powered submarines while state media published a message from Vladimir Putin praising an "invincible" friendship between the two countries. The visit and coverage come amid closer Pyongyang–Moscow ties; analysts say North Korea has sent troops and munitions to Russia and received support in return. KCNA published photos of Kim beside a reportedly 8,700-tonne submarine and said he ordered accelerated naval modernisation and "nuclear weaponisation." The agency also reported a missile test it claims reached 200 km altitude, a claim not independently verified.
Kim Jong Un Tours Nuclear-Submarine Facility As Putin Hails 'Invincible' Bond; Missile Tests Reported
Photos published by KCNA showed Kim walking alongside a purportedly 8,700-tonne submarine at an indoor assembly site (STR)(STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a factory that Pyongyang says assembles nuclear-powered submarines, while state media also published a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin praising an "invincible friendship" between the two states, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday.
Tighter Pyongyang–Moscow Ties
Ties between North Korea and Russia have strengthened since Moscow's large-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. Analysts say Pyongyang has deployed troops and sent munitions to support Russia; in turn, Moscow has reportedly provided financial aid, military technology and supplies of food and energy to North Korea.
"The heroic actions of North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region clearly proved the invincible friendship," KCNA quoted Putin as saying. The Russian message also described the cooperation as a "militant fraternity" and said provisions of a treaty signed by the two leaders — which includes a mutual defence clause — had been fulfilled "thanks to our joint efforts."
Troop Deployments And Casualties
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies estimate North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, primarily to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. South Korean officials estimate around 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed and thousands more wounded. North Korea has acknowledged that some personnel died while deployed and said some were assigned to mine-clearance duties.
Submarine Visit And Naval Plans
KCNA published photos of Kim touring an indoor assembly area, walking alongside what it described as an 8,700-tonne submarine and flanked by officials and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae. The agency said Kim vowed to counter what Pyongyang called the "threat" of South Korea developing nuclear-powered submarines and ordered the acceleration of naval modernisation and the "nuclear weaponisation" of naval forces. KCNA added that Kim reviewed plans to reorganise the navy and research into "new underwater secret weapons," without providing technical details.
Observers note that only a small number of countries operate nuclear-powered submarines and that many aspects of that technology remain highly restricted. KCNA characterised the US–South Korea submarine programme as a "dangerous attempt at confrontation," warning of a potential "nuclear domino phenomenon." The article did not specify which US administration decisions it referenced; external reporting has said the United States has indicated support for South Korea developing nuclear-powered attack submarines, though technical and policy details remain unclear.
Missile Tests
KCNA also reported Kim oversaw the test launch of "new-type high-altitude long-range anti-air missiles" over the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The state agency claimed the projectiles struck mock targets at an altitude of about 200 kilometres (124 miles). If accurate, that altitude would place the flight path in low Earth orbit or the boundary of space; the claim has not been independently verified.
Photos released by KCNA showed a missile ascending with a bright orange plume and another showed Kim in front of a military vehicle fitted with a vertical missile launcher. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they had monitored the preparations and were braced for the firing; South Korean and US intelligence agencies are analysing the weapons' specifications.
Questions And Implications
Analysts cited by AFP noted the submarine images provoked "considerable speculation" about whether Russia provided technical assistance or components that could accelerate North Korea's apparent progress on large submarine construction. The developments — including the messaging between Kim and Putin and the reported weapons tests — are likely to raise concerns among regional neighbours and Western governments about military proliferation and shifting security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula.
