North Korea shows off its first nearly-complete nuclear submarine (PHOTO)

The nation’s leader Kim Jong Un has inspected construction of the vessel and vowed to accelerate naval development

Pyongyang has shared new images of its first nearly completed nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally inspected the vessel. 

Kim hailed its construction as an “epoch-making crucial change,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday.

During his visit, Kim oversaw the construction of the 8,700-tonnage strategic guided missile submarine and vowed to continue to equip the DPRK’s navy with nuclear missiles.

Kim linked the need to bolster the country’s offensive power with South Korea’s plan to develop its own nuclear submarine, which has recently been approved by the US. The North Korean leader claimed Seoul’s plans violate Pyongyang’s security and maritime sovereignty.

He warned that North Korea’s enemies will be “forced to pay a dear price when they violate the security of the DPRK’s strategic sovereignty” and will face a “merciless retaliatory attack if they try to select a military option.”

Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un personally supervised the on-site construction of the new 8,700-ton nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine. pic.twitter.com/0h1giivkPy

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KCNA reported that Kim was also briefed on the on-going research and development of new “underwater secret weapons.”

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The development of the new submarine comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, with Pyongyang accusing the US, South Korea, and Japan of undermining its national security and destabilizing the region by attempting to create an “Asian version of NATO” and conducting joint military exercises. 

Seoul and Washington have repeatedly insisted on the denuclearization of the peninsula. In October, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also urged Beijing to play a “constructive role” in establishing peace and finding “a substantive solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.” 

Pyongyang, however, has stated that its nuclear armed forces will “exist forever” as a means of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental interests, dismissing denuclearization as a “pipedream.”