North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a submarine shipyard on Christmas Eve, inspecting construction of a nuclear‑powered submarine and observing tests of what state media described as a “new type” of air‑defense missile, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
During the visit, Kim criticized South Korea’s plans to develop a nuclear‑powered submarine in cooperation with the United States, calling the move “a threat that must be answered,” KCNA reported.
His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump in October authorized South Korea to proceed with building nuclear‑powered submarines.