North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a manufacturing facility for nuclear-powered submarines, as Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed what he described as an “invincible friendship” between Moscow and Pyongyang, according to North Korea’s state media.
The high-profile visit and the message from Moscow highlight the deepening military and strategic alignment between the two countries amid ongoing global tensions.
Putin’s Message: “Militant Fraternity” With Pyongyang
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), President Putin sent a message to Kim Jong Un praising the “heroic” role of North Korean soldiers deployed alongside Russian forces.
Putin said their actions had “clearly proved the invincible friendship” between Russia and North Korea and demonstrated a “militant fraternity” rooted in shared strategic interests.
He also referred to a historic bilateral treaty, signed last year, which includes a mutual defence clause, stating that its provisions were being fulfilled through joint efforts.
North Korean Troops in Russia: What Is Known
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies estimate that thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, primarily in the Kursk region, alongside supplies of artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems.
According to estimates from South Korean intelligence agencies, around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed, with several thousand wounded. Pyongyang has acknowledged this month that some of its troops died while clearing mines during deployment.
Nuclear Submarine Visit Sends Strong Signal
KCNA reported Putin’s message on the same day it released details of Kim Jong Un’s visit to a nuclear-powered submarine construction site at an undisclosed location.
Photos published by state media showed Kim inspecting what was described as an 8,700-tonne nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine, accompanied by senior officials and his daughter Kim Ju Ae.
During the visit, Kim warned that any move by South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines would be seen as a direct threat to North Korea’s security and maritime sovereignty.
Response to South Korea and the United States
Kim’s remarks come after United States approved South Korea’s plans to pursue nuclear-powered attack submarines, though key technical details remain unclear.
Pyongyang has labelled the initiative an “offensive act”, stating it would require North Korea to accelerate the modernisation and nuclear weaponisation of its naval forces.
North Korea’s defence ministry also warned it may consider countermeasures against what it called US “nuclear muscle flexing” in the region.
Missile Tests and ‘Underwater Secret Weapons’
KCNA also reported that Kim Jong Un recently oversaw a test launch of new high-altitude, long-range anti-air missiles over the East Sea (Sea of Japan). The missiles reportedly struck mock targets at an altitude of 200 kilometres, a height that would place them in outer space.
Analysts say these developments suggest rapid progress in North Korea’s weapons programmes, spanning land, air, and naval capabilities.
Did Russia Help Build the Submarine?
The images of the nuclear-powered submarine have sparked international speculation. Korea Institute for National Unification analyst Hong Min told AFP that the photos raise serious questions about whether Russia provided technical assistance to North Korea in assembling such a vessel in a short timeframe.
Only a handful of countries possess nuclear-powered submarines, and the technology is considered among the most closely guarded military secrets globally.
Why This Matters
The growing Russia–North Korea partnership is reshaping security dynamics in East Asia and beyond. Analysts warn that deeper military cooperation could:
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Accelerate North Korea’s nuclear and naval capabilities
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Heighten tensions with South Korea, Japan, and the US
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Complicate diplomatic and security calculations worldwide
As Kim Jong Un pushes ahead with military modernisation and Moscow openly signals support, the alliance is emerging as a key geopolitical development to watch.
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