On Nov. 8, the North Korean Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reports that Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the North Korean Workers' Party, “inspects the shipbuilding projects at important shipyards on-site and presents strategic policies for a groundbreaking development in the shipbuilding industry.” /Courtesy of Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun=News1
On Nov. 8, the North Korean Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reports that Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the North Korean Workers' Party, “inspects the shipbuilding projects at important shipyards on-site and presents strategic policies for a groundbreaking development in the shipbuilding industry.” /Courtesy of Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun=News1

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean Chairperson, inspected the construction status of nuclear-powered submarines, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 8th.

According to the report, Kim noted that during this on-site guidance, he also assessed the construction status of the 'nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine' being developed in accordance with the decisions made at the party's 8th Congress. The agency did not specify the location or time of Kim's visit. Photos from the report show Kim inspecting a shipbuilding site that appears to be a submarine, alongside surface vessels.

During this on-site guidance, Kim stated, “Unparalleled revolutionary vessels must carry out their mission as a powerful deterrent of a nuclear power that suppresses the hostile forces’ entrenched 'containment diplomacy.'” He also remarked that “we will not overlook the maritime and underwater military activities of enemies that are gravely threatening our nation's sovereignty and interests through the constant emergence of vast strategic assets,” and added, “with significant innovations and changes in naval power, we will reliably protect marine sovereignty and build a solid guarantee of safety for the Korean Peninsula and the region with an ever-evolving superiority of power.”

He further pointed out that the basic direction for strengthening naval power is to “simultaneously promote the modernization of surface and underwater vessels and the enhancement of operational capabilities,” and announced plans for vessel acquisition forecasts and phased goals, as well as the subsequent direction and tasks of defense economic projects.