{"id":2525010,"date":"2025-12-25T17:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T22:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kim-jong-un-slams-south-korea-over-nuclear-submarine-plans\/"},"modified":"2025-12-25T17:51:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T22:51:21","slug":"kim-jong-un-slams-south-korea-over-nuclear-submarine-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kim-jong-un-slams-south-korea-over-nuclear-submarine-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Kim Jong Un slams South Korea over nuclear submarine plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkim-jong-un-slams-south-korea-over-nuclear-submarine-plans%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2525010&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>North Korea released images showing an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-powered submarine under construction and leader Kim Jong Un toured the shipyard, calling South Korea&#8217;s parallel efforts to acquire such subs an &#8220;offensive act&#8221; that justifies accelerating Pyongyang&#8217;s own naval nuclear program. State media labeled the vessel a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/north-korea-announces-it-is-building-a-nuclear-submarine-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... announces it is building a ... - Washington Examiner\">strategic guided missile submarine<\/a>&#8221; intended to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russias-nuclear-armed-bombers-violated-swedens-air-space-report\/\" title=\"Russia\u2019s Nuclear Armed Bombers Violated Sweden\u2019s Air Space: Report\">carry nuclear weapons<\/a>; the photos show a largely intact,burgundy-coated hull and suggest,according to analysts,that major internal components like an engine or reactor may already be installed,raising the prospect of sea trials within months. Kim framed completing the submarine as an &#8220;epoch-making&#8221; step to strengthen North Korea&#8217;s nuclear deterrent, part of a broader push announced in 2021 to develop advanced weapons including solid-fuel ICBMs, hypersonic arms, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/north-koreas-growing-icbm-threat-how-america-and-south-korea-should-respond\/\" title=\"...\u2019s Growing ICBM Threat: How America and ... Should Respond\">multiple-warhead missiles<\/a>. Seoul has sought U.S. support for a nuclear-powered sub program, and former President trump publicly signaled openness to sharing technology, though practical details remain unresolved. The coverage also notes Pyongyang&#8217;s growing alignment with Russia &#8211; including troop deployments and weapons transfers to support Moscow in ukraine &#8211; and highlights that independent verification of the North Korean images and claims is not possible.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Kim Jong Un swipes at South Korea&rsquo;s progress building a nuclear submarine while inspecting his own<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2453961\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-korea\/\">North Korea<\/a> on Thursday showcased what appeared to be significant progress on a nuclear-powered submarine, with state media releasing new images as leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kim-jong-un\/\">Kim Jong Un <\/a>criticized <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-korea\/\">South Korea&rsquo;s<\/a> parallel push to develop the same capability.<\/p>\n<p>The North&rsquo;s Korean Central News Agency said Kim toured a shipyard housing an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-propelled submarine, a project Pyongyang has framed as central to modernizing and nuclear-arming its navy. The vessel, which the regime has described as a &ldquo;strategic guided missile submarine,&rdquo; is intended to carry <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nuclear-weapons\/\">nuclear weapons<\/a>, according to previous statements.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4361938\/us-palau-migration-agreement\/\">Small Pacific nation agrees to take 75 migrants from US for $7.5 million<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4361861\/trump-endorsed-nasry-asfura-wins-honduras-election-contesting-votes\/\">Trump-endorsed candidate wins Honduras election after weeks of contesting votes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4361845\/pope-leo-xiv-first-christmas-eve-mass-war-gaza-refugees\/\">Pope Leo delivers first Christmas Eve Mass, calls for compassion toward Palestinians and refugees<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>During the inspection, Kim denounced Seoul&rsquo;s efforts to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine as an &ldquo;offensive act&rdquo; that threatens North Korea&rsquo;s security and maritime sovereignty. Those efforts have drawn public backing from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>, a point Kim cited as further justification for accelerating his own naval nuclear ambitions. He portrayed the submarine project as an &ldquo;epoch-making&rdquo; step in strengthening the country&rsquo;s nuclear deterrent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this undated photo provided Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, third left, visits a shipyard as he inspects a nuclear-powered submarine under construction at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. The Korean language watermark on the image reads &ldquo;KCNA,&rdquo; which is the abbreviation for the Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency\/Korea News Service via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Kim argued that Seoul&rsquo;s plans only reinforced the urgency of expanding and nuclear-arming North Korea&rsquo;s naval forces, and said finishing the nuclear-powered submarine would mark a turning point in bolstering the country&rsquo;s nuclear deterrent against what he described as hostile threats.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hungary-takes-lead-as-europe-prepares-to-begin-covid-19-vaccinations\/\" title=\"Hungary takes lead as Europe prepares to begin COVID-19 vaccinations\">state news agency<\/a> did not specify when the visit occurred but released photos showing Kim walking alongside senior officials and his daughter inside a cavernous assembly hall. The images depict a massive, burgundy-colored hull coated in what appears to be anti-corrosion paint, marking the first time state media has shown the vessel largely intact since March, when coverage focused mainly on lower sections.<\/p>\n<p>The apparent completeness of the hull suggests the submarine could be further along than previously believed, said Moon Keun-sik, a professor at Hanyang University and former South Korean submarine officer, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/north-korea-kim-nuclear-submarine-trump-042354b0b38bb429f937a4ecb7f70df2\">according to reporting <\/a>from the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. Because submarines are typically built from the inside out, he said, the images imply that major components such as the engine and possibly the reactor may already be installed, raising the possibility of sea trials within months.<\/p>\n<p>A nuclear-powered submarine was among a slate of advanced weapons Kim pledged to develop at a 2021 party conference, alongside solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, reconnaissance satellites, and multiple-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted frequent tests and recently unveiled a new naval destroyer that Kim said would expand the reach and preemptive strike options of the country&rsquo;s nuclear forces.<\/p>\n<p>South Korea, for its part, has been exploring the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >option amid rising regional tensions<\/a>. At a November summit, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung sought U.S. support for developing a nuclear-powered submarine, while pledging higher defense spending. Trump later said that Washington was open to sharing closely held technology, though details regarding construction, fuel supply, and reactor access remain unclear.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3863944\/trump-open-to-meeting-kim-jong-un\/\">TRUMP OPEN TO MEETING WITH KIM JONG UN, ASKS MEDIA TO &lsquo;PUT OUT THE WORD&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The latest displays of military development come as Pyongyang deepens its alignment with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\">Russia<\/a> following Moscow&rsquo;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has sent thousands of troops, along with artillery shells, missiles, and rocket systems, to support Russian operations, primarily in the Kursk region, according to South Korean and Western intelligence estimates. Seoul says roughly 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded.<\/p>\n<p>Russian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vladimir-putin\/\">Vladimir Putin<\/a> recently praised what he called the &ldquo;heroic&rdquo; efforts of North Korean forces in Kursk, saying they demonstrated the &ldquo;invincible friendship&rdquo; and &ldquo;militant fraternity&rdquo; between Moscow and Pyongyang under a treaty signed last year that includes a mutual defense clause. North Korea acknowledged this month that some of its troops deployed to Kursk had died while carrying out mine-clearing operations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kim slams S.Korea as North unveils nuclear sub<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2525011,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25359007436197.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33528,32109,34188],"class_list":["post-2525010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-kim-jong-un","tag-north-korea","tag-south-korea"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25359007436197.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2525010"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2525014,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525010\/revisions\/2525014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2525011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2525010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2525010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2525010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}