A nuclear-powered submarine was on Kim’s strategic weapons wish list set out at a key party congress in 2021, along with a hypersonic warhead, spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
During his visit to the dockyard, Kim was briefed on various warships under construction as well as preparations for a “new huge plan” assigned by the ruling party.
No details of the plan were provided.
Kim “expressed expectation that the workers of the dockyard would successfully build on the world level the major warships”, KCNA said.
North Korea last year launched what it called its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine”, which Seoul’s military at the time said did not look to be operational.
Analysts said the vessel appeared to be modified from an existing diesel-electric submarine originally designed in the 1950s, and have posed questions about its limitations and vulnerabilities as a platform.
The US stations about 30,000 troops in the South to help it fend off military threats from Pyongyang.