9.18.25
Intelligence obtained by South Korea suggests that its neighbor, North Korea, has received a nuclear reactor from Russia for the development of its submarine fleet. Russia and North Korea formed a strategic partnership last year, committing both sides to mutual military aid. Pyongyang has provided troops and munitions to support the Kremlin's war in Ukraine in exchange for Moscow's military equipment. In addition to its nuclear and missile developments, North Korea has been bolstering its naval force by building a nuclear powered guided-missile submarine and two 5,000-ton destroyers to counter the U.S. and South Korea, which possess superior navies. Unlike diesel-electric submarines, nuclear-powered submarines offer virtually unlimited endurance, speed, and range, with food supplies as their only operational limitation. The U.S. and Russia are among the few countries that operate this type of submarine.
Citing multiple South Korean government officials, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported on Wednesday that Russia is believed to have supplied "two to three nuclear submarine modules" to North Korea in the first half of the year, including a reactor. Other modules included a turbine and cooling system, which are also core components of a submarine's nuclear propulsion unit. These modules were not newly manufactured but taken from decommissioned Russian nuclear-powered submarines, the report noted. One of the South Korean officials told the newspaper that Russia was initially reluctant to provide nuclear-powered submarine technology and advanced fighter jets to North Korea, which has been requesting them since last year, but eventually agreed to do so.
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