North Korea Submarine Delays Frustrate Kim Jong Un's Naval Buildup
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A North Korean submarine capable of firing missiles reportedly remains nonoperational almost two years after its launch, as leader Kim Jong Un pushes for naval modernization.
Newsweek has contacted the North Korean Embassy in China for comment via email.
Why It Matters
While continuing to develop its nuclear arsenal, North Korea—officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)—has been enhancing its naval power by building modernized vessels. These include the submarine No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok, which is equipped with ballistic and cruise missiles, and two 5,000-ton destroyers.
Kim has said his country's "new era of building a fleet" is making progress toward the goal of establishing a "world level" naval force. However, one of the newly built destroyers was damaged during a botched attempt to launch it into the water on its first try.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, second left, looks at the submarine No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok at an unspecified place in North Korea on September 6,...
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, second left, looks at the submarine No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok at an unspecified place in North Korea on September 6, 2023. More
Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
What To Know
Citing recently captured satellite imagery, Beyond Parallel—a project by the Center for Strategic and International Studies—said in a July 17 analysis that the No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok had yet to become fully operational since its launch in September 2023.
The submarine, which serves as an underwater platform for delivering nuclear warheads, "is not known to have put to sea for any significant length of time," Beyond Parallel said. The delay in putting it into service has likely frustrated a major component of Kim's ambitions for a modern navy.
According to a satellite image dated May 30, the submarine was seen beneath what Beyond Parallel described as a "security canopy" at the Sinpo South Shipyard. Only the top of the submarine's conning tower—a raised structure on the vessel's deck—was partially visible.
The submarine was moved to its current location—a secure boat basin—last December, following the completion of construction and the fitting-out process at the shipyard's dock. The security canopy was installed to conceal the submarine from overhead observation.
NEW @csis Beyond Parallel satellite imagery shows North Korea's first true ballistic missile submarine not yet fully operational, almost two years after its launching.
🔗 https://t.co/51Ti4UbJSg pic.twitter.com/W8eZXhD4ku — CSIS Korea Chair (@CSISKoreaChair) July 22, 2025
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that workers at the Nampho Shipyard pledged during a Monday meeting to complete the building of the third Choe Hyon-class destroyer by October 10, 2026, with construction having commenced the same day.
The report described this class of destroyer as "a creation symbolic of the strength and spirit" of the country, built in accordance with the "precious instructions" given by Kim—which it said contributed to rapidly transforming North Korea into "a maritime power of the 21st century."
What People Are Saying
Beyond Parallel at the Center for Strategic and International Studies commented on July 17 in its analysis: "Precisely when the No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok will become operational is unclear. If its conversion from a Type 003 attack submarine into a ballistic missile submarine proves to be successful, its initial operational debut could come within the next six to 12 months."
Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday: "The venue for the meeting was full of the high revolutionary enthusiasm of the workers at the shipyard for upholding with the building of a powerful warship of our own type the unshakable determination and will of the Party Central Committee to firmly defend the inviolable maritime sovereignty and national interests of the DPRK with the inexhaustible might of the naval forces."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen when North Korea will conduct a missile launch test from the No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok, and whether additional submarines of the same type will be constructed.
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