Russia could have given North Korea a nuclear reactor for submarines
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA.
Seoul has received disturbing new intelligence that Russia has allegedly transferred a nuclear reactor for nuclear submarines to North Korea. If confirmed, this would dramatically strengthen Pyongyang’s military capabilities and set a dangerous precedent for violating international agreements.
South Korea has already begun verifying the data and has informed allies, including the United States, Korea JoongAng Daily writes .
According to the publication, in the first half of the year, Moscow could transfer to North Korea two or three modules for nuclear submarines. They include a reactor, a turbine and a cooling system. These are key elements of the power plant. According to preliminary data, the modules were taken from submarines decommissioned in Russia.
“Since last year, North Korea has been persistently asking Russia for nuclear submarine technology and modern fighter jets. Initially, Russia was against it, but this year it seems to have agreed to provide them,” said one government official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Pyongyang has long considered building nuclear submarines a national priority, as such boats would allow it to strike the United States and complete its nuclear forces. In March, North Korean state media even released photos of Kim Jong-un standing in front of a nuclear-powered submarine under construction.
Experts have previously stressed that the country lacks the technology to create compact reactors suitable for submarines. However, the situation could change if North Korea does indeed receive ready-made Russian modules.
According to sources, the DPRK demanded such technology in exchange for sending its military to support the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine. If the information is confirmed, Russia has effectively crossed a “red line” and violated the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which threatens new sanctions against both states.
“Recent increased military cooperation between Russia and North Korea could lead to the transfer of nuclear submarine reactor technology. We are closely monitoring relevant developments,” the Defense Intelligence Agency said.
It was previously reported that Russia is expanding cooperation with the DPRK in the geological sphere , in particular, in the search for uranium deposits. North Korean specialists.
At the same time, the Foreign Intelligence Service reported that North Korea had transferred about 6.5 million 122 mm artillery shells and approximately 600 artillery systems to Russia .
Recall that Russia is rapidly depleting Soviet arms stocks and increasingly relying on the support of other states . According to estimates by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), shipments from Russian warehouses will be halved by the end of 2025, and the key donors remain North Korea, Iran, and China, which effectively maintain Moscow’s military machine.
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