The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday that Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), conducted a high-profile inspection of a premier nuclear-powered submarine manufacturing facility and received a formal diplomatic message from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
🇰🇵 🇷🇺 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a nuclear submarine factory and received a message from Russia’s Vladimir Putin hailing the countries’ “invincible friendship”, Pyongyang’s state media said on Thursday ➡️ https://t.co/Ul2OrXoi7e pic.twitter.com/WgBLPuOpsA
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 25, 2025
Strengthening the Moscow-Pyongyang Axis
In a message received by the Chairman, President Vladimir Putin hailed the “invincible friendship” and “militant fraternity” between the two nations. The Russian leader specifically lauded the “heroic efforts” of North Korean personnel currently deployed in the Kursk region, stating their actions clearly demonstrate the fulfillment of the mutual defense treaty signed last year.
Analysts note that the deepening cooperation—including the exchange of North Korean troops and munitions for Russian financial aid and military technology—marks the closest alignment between the two powers since the Cold War.
Strategic Naval Advancements
During an undated visit to a major naval production hub, Chairman Kim oversaw the assembly of what appears to be an 8,700-tonne nuclear-powered submarine. Accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, the Chairman vowed to accelerate the “radical development” of the DPRK’s naval forces to counter emerging threats.
Key remarks from Chairman Kim included:
- Countermeasures against the South: A firm stance against the reported U.S.-backed plans for South Korea to develop its own nuclear-powered attack submarines, calling such moves an “offensive act” against maritime sovereignty.
- Modernization Goals: The “indispensable” nature of nuclearizing the naval fleet to ensure national security.
- Secret Weaponry: The review of research into “new underwater secret weapons” currently in development.
Successful High-Altitude Missile Test
In a parallel development on Wednesday, Chairman Kim oversaw the test-firing of “new-type high-altitude long-range anti-air missiles” over the East Sea. According to state media, the projectiles successfully intercepted mock targets at an altitude of 200 kilometers—a height reaching into space. This test demonstrates a significant leap in Pyongyang’s ability to contest high-altitude and orbital-adjacent threats.
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The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff have confirmed they monitored the launch in real-time. International analysts are currently scrutinizing the newly released submarine photos for evidence of Russian technological transfers, which would represent a major shift in the regional balance of power.
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