North Korea has conducted a slew of underwater-launched ballistic missile tests since 2016, but all launches were made from the same 2,000-tonne-class submarine which has a single launch tube. Many experts call it a test platform, rather than an operational submarine in active service.

The submarine could significantly escalate security concerns on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait, experts say North Korea's construction of a nuclear-powered submarine could significantly escalate security concerns on the peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait,

Thousands of North Korean workers have been sent to work in construction in Russia to alleviate a labor shortage despite international sanctions.