Kim Jong Un is pushing North Korea’s military ambitions to new depths—literally. With plans to develop both nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines, he aims to extend the country’s reach far beyond its shores and strengthen its nuclear deterrence. Here’s a closer look inside Kim’s drive to build a navy that could shift the balance of power in the region.
North Korea’s Naval Ambitions: Inside Kim Jong Un’s Quest for a Nuclear-Armed Fleet
The North Korean navy has traditionally been the stepchild of its military, overshadowed by its enormous army and expanding missile force. But under Kim Jong Un, the regime is working aggressively to turn its fleet into a nuclear-equipped, modern navy able to project power far from its coast.
North Korea’s Naval Ambitions: A New Era Under Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un’s vision for the navy is revolutionary. While possessing a powerful nuclear capability and massive standing army, North Korea’s naval capabilities have fallen far behind those of its rivals—South Korea, Japan, and the United States. As per Choi Il, a former South Korean navy captain, Kim perceives nuclear weapons as the sole authentic assurance of the existence of his regime, but is aware that his navy only possesses old submarines and minor auxiliary ships. This has compelled Kim to give top priority to building a powerful, modern navy with nuclear capability.
The Drive for a Nuclear-Armed Navy
The focal point of North Korea’s naval modernization is its efforts to deploy nuclear-capable warships and submarines. In the last year, the regime commissioned two new destroyers, each 5,000 tonnes in weight—by far the biggest warships ever constructed by North Korea. These ships are, at least theoretically, capable of launching nuclear short-range missiles. The construction and commissioning of these vessels represent a huge step forward, but also underscore the technical difficulties North Korea is experiencing.
The Ballistic Missile Submarine: Progress and Frustrations
Kim Jong Un’s aspirations go underwater. The No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok, North Korea’s first real ballistic missile submarine, was commissioned in September 2023 in much pomp. Kim called it a “standard type of tactical nuclear submarine,” a central pillar of his strategy of “three-dimensional naval battles” and the second pillar of North Korea’s emerging nuclear triad. But almost two years after its commissioning, the submarine remains partially operational. Satellite photos indicate the ship resting under a security canopy, with little activity detected. The prolonged delay would probably have irritated Kim, who regards the submarine as a key element of his new navy. If the transition from a Type 003 attack submarine to a ballistic missile submarine is successful, its operational debut may arrive within a year, but genuine blue-water operations remain years away.
Warship Failures and Propaganda Adaptation
North Korea’s efforts at building new ships have not been free of failures. When one of the new destroyers flipped over on launch, the accident made global headlines. Kim Jong Un responded angrily, condemning the debacle as “a criminal act” that had disfigured the nation’s honor, and instructing immediate repairs and punishment for those involved. Four party officials were apprehended. Instead of covering up the incident, however, Kim decided to make it public—a distinct departure from North Korean propaganda policy. Rachel Minyoung Lee of the Stimson Centre points out that Kim is now employing such an event to prove accountability and strengthen allegiance to the regime. The swift repair and recommissioning of the warship transformed a technical mishap into a political victory, revealing North Korea’s resolve to pursue its naval ambitions in defiance of external skeptics.
The Russia-North Korea Defense Pact: Strategic Implications
North Korea’s sea power ambitions are developing against the background of an intensifying alliance with Russia. In June 2024, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin signed a sweeping strategic partnership agreement, said to include a mutual defense clause. In accordance with Sue Mi Terry, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 compelled Moscow to turn to North Korea for weapons—and Pyongyang has not disappointed, supplying artillery rounds and short-range rockets that Russia has employed against Ukraine.”. As a reward, Russia will most likely offer not only economic assistance, since North Korea needs cheap Russian oil badly, but also military assistance to assist in enhancing North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program.
This agreement is a sign of increased cooperation between the two nations, with each set to gain militarily. North Korea would gain cutting-edge Russian support for its missile and nuclear programs, such as assistance for submarine-launched ballistic missiles—a key capability for an actual nuclear navy. The agreement is also the first step for North Korea to end diplomatic isolation, providing Kim with a crucial lifeline as he attempts to push back against the U.S.-dominated international order.
Sanctions, Evasion, and International Response
North Korea’s naval modernization and increased relationship with Russia have developed in the face of a tapestry of international sanctions. The United Nations, the United States, and their allies have placed blanket restrictions on North Korea’s commerce, banking, and access to technology designed to stem its nuclear drive. But enforcement continues to be a source of persistent trouble. Smuggling, black market trade, and the readiness of some nations and firms to ignore the rules have enabled Pyongyang to get around many of these restrictions. Experts advise that stricter sanctions may boomerang, pushing North Korea to step up its nuclear and missile development even further.
As North Korea charges forward with its naval modernization, the world looks on with a combination of skepticism and alarm. Kim Jong Un’s regime has consistently defied predictions, constructing destroyers and refurbishing warships at a breakneck pace, and moving closer to a credible nuclear-armed fleet. The strategic ramifications for Northeast Asia—and beyond—run deep, as old alliances give way and new perils rise below the surface.