North Korea has long vied for nuclear-powered submarines, which would allow it to fire missiles from underwater. Advanced detection of the weapons is difficult, making the country’s construction of the warships worrisome.

North Korea announced it is building its first nuclear-powered submarine, marking its latest effort to strengthen military leverage over the West after diplomatic relations between Washington D.C. and Pyongyang soured following a failed 2019 summit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine, warning that his country's maritime defense capability will be "fully" projected "in any necessary waters without limitation.

Kim Jong Un was pictured on Saturday inspecting North Korea's first nuclear-powered submarine, which experts say poses a major risk to the United States and South Korea.