Media: Russia may have delivered nuclear submarine reactor to North Korea
Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
South Korea’s military has obtained intelligence indicating that Russia sent North Korea a nuclear reactor for use in atomic submarines. The information is currently under verification, Korea JoongAng Daily reports.
According to government officials, Russia likely transferred two to three modules for nuclear submarines to North Korea in the first half of this year.
These modules reportedly include a reactor, a turbine, and a cooling system — the core components of a nuclear power unit.
This raises the likelihood that North Korea received a complete propulsion system, including a reactor. The modules were not newly manufactured but taken from decommissioned Russian submarines.
“Since last year, North Korea has been persistently requesting nuclear submarine technology and advanced fighter jets from Russia. Russia was initially reluctant but appears to have agreed to provide them this year,” one government source said.
North Korea views the construction of nuclear-powered submarines as a national priority, as possessing strategic nuclear submarines capable of striking the United States would complete its nuclear forces.
On March 8, North Korea’s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photos of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting what appeared to be a strategic nuclear-powered submarine under construction.
Experts note that North Korea lacks the technical capability to quickly build a nuclear submarine, especially since the reactor is its most critical component. Until now, Pyongyang has been unable to produce small reactors suitable for submarines.
However, this assessment could change if the country has acquired Russian modules. Gaining access to them would provide North Korea with reactor technology it has never been able to develop on its own.
Pyongyang reportedly pressured Moscow to provide such technology in exchange for sending North Korean troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
If Russia indeed transferred these modules, it would mean Moscow has crossed a red line, fundamentally undermining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Such a move would almost certainly trigger additional international sanctions against both North Korea and Russia.
South Korea has already shared the intelligence with the United States and allied nations.
Possible China–North Korea–Russia collusion
On September 3, a military parade was held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan and the end of World War II. At the event, the Chinese army showcased its latest weapons and equipment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were invited to the parade and watched the ceremony alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US President Donald Trump said he also watched the Beijing parade online, noting that this was exactly what the leaders of China and Russia had hoped for.
Earlier, Trump had accused the three leaders of a conspiracy against the United States and instructed the Pentagon to develop a strategy to contain China and Russia.
At the same time, Trump stressed that the United States is not seeking conflict with these countries.
