Military detects apparent signs of N. Korea building possible nuclear-powered submarine: lawmaker

The military has detected apparent signs that North Korea has started to build a possible nuclear-powered submarine, a lawmaker said Tuesday, amid concerns over Pyongyang's push to acquire advanced weapons. In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine after vowing to develop such a submarine among other sophisticated weapons systems during a ruling party congress in 2021. "Partial signs that appear to be the start of the submarine's construction have been detected," the Defense Intelligence Agency said in a report to Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the ruling People Power Party. "As construction is still in its early stages, further confirmation is needed on whether it is nuclear powered," it said, without providing details. North Korea has recently pushed to acquire advanced naval vessels and bolster its military capabilities, unveiling a new "tactical nuclear attack submarine" in September last year. South Korea's military, however, has said the submarine d oes not appear to be ready for normal operations. North Korea operates approximately 70 submarines, including midget submarines, while South Korea's submarine force consists of about 10 vessels, according to the South's Defense White Paper published in 2023. Source: Yonhap News Agency