By John Q. Hosedrinker 
North Korea unveiled images of its first nuclear-powered submarine, a vessel comparable in size to some U.S. Navy attack subs, with leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the guided-missile submarine at a construction facility. The release of these images comes amidst a strategic buildup in North Korea’s military capabilities, including a range of missiles and destroyers, and follows South Korea’s pursuit of its own nuclear-powered submarines. Kim emphasized the importance of this “super-powerful offensive capability” for national defense, viewing it as a response to perceived threats and a violation of North Korean security, although experts suggest it is exacerbating tensions. Experts believe the submarine could be ready for missile tests within the next two years, with the images also hinting at a potential successor to Kim, his daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
Read the original article here
North Korea reveals new images of its first ‘nuclear-powered’ submarine, and the initial reaction is… well, let’s just say it’s skeptical. There’s a general sense that what we’re seeing might be more of a digital creation than a real piece of naval engineering. The details, or lack thereof, are a major point of contention. Several observers have noted the blurriness of the images, the lack of realistic detail, and the oddly pristine condition of the submarine itself. No oil stains, no wear and tear – which, given the often-harrowing conditions associated with military hardware, raises immediate questions.
The consensus is that the images look like they’ve been generated by AI. The inconsistencies in the structure, the shadows that don’t make logical sense, and the overall “cartoonish” appearance all point in that direction. The supporting structures under the submarine, in particular, are called out for their mismatched appearance. The yellow arms beneath the vessel, the thickness of each, the spacing of the grids, and even the black holes are all different, creating a sense of visual discordance that wouldn’t likely exist in a real-world engineering project.
The environment in which these images are displayed is also being dissected. One aspect is the absence of a blue water navy to begin with, which makes the jump to nuclear submarines seem a bit abrupt. And from an engineering perspective, there’s a serious question of how North Korea could have moved from having a barely functioning nuclear reactor to a submarine-sized reactor. This raises eyebrows about the technological realities behind the unveiling.
The quality of the shadows is another major giveaway. The shadows in the images don’t align with how light would realistically fall, adding to the suspicion that these are not authentic photographs. The shadows of cross supports in the hangar, and their general unclarity, also contribute to the idea that these images are less than they appear to be.
The color of the submarine is another aspect that is being scrutinized, with the suggestion that its red paint job is suspect, with no obvious reason for it. This observation further reinforces the sense that the images may be intended for a different purpose than revealing true capabilities. It’s also been suggested that this whole affair is a bit of a political stunt, that it’s more about optics than actual maritime power.
The reactions are a mix of humor and serious assessment, with some people joking about the submarine being made of chocolate or using a PlayStation controller, while others express concern about the environmental risks if the project ever came to fruition. Many seem to be amused by the prospect of this submarine’s eventual fate. The general sentiment is that North Korea is not ready for underwater drone warfare.
The timing of the release of these images is also notable. Some commentators suggest that if North Korea truly had a working nuclear submarine, it wouldn’t be publicizing it. The release of such images suggests, to some, that a working submarine is not actually in their possession, or at least, not fully operational. It’s also been said, that if Kim is authorising the release of images of a fake nuclear submarine, he may have “caught Trump’s brain rot disease”.
There are also references to other events and technologies, such as 3D printing, and other naval disasters that help put the situation into a better context. In short, the situation feels like something that might have come out of a movie. The reactions range from the hilarious to those who are expressing deep concern.
The entire episode seems to have created something of a social media frenzy. With the announcement of the “nuclear-powered” submarine, people have been quick to point out its apparent flaws. The consensus seems to be that the images are not what they seem, and this unveiling raises more questions than answers about North Korea’s military capabilities and intentions.