The Korean Peninsula is basically the world’s longest-running geopolitical soap opera, but the current season is getting weird. Fast. If you've been following north korea america news lately, you’ve probably noticed a shift from the usual "fire and fury" rhetoric to something a lot more quiet, technical, and—honestly—more dangerous.
Kim Jong Un isn’t just firing missiles into the sea for attention anymore. He’s building a navy. Specifically, he's building an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine.
The Submarine Race Nobody Saw Coming
Just a few weeks ago, in late December 2025, Kim was spotted at a shipyard inspecting this massive new hull. This isn't just another rusty sub from the Cold War era. It’s a "strategic guided missile submarine" that North Korean state media (KCNA) is calling an "epoch-making" change in their defense.
Why does this matter for the US? Because a nuclear-powered sub can stay underwater almost indefinitely. It doesn’t need to surface for air, which makes it incredibly hard to track. If Kim manages to park one of these—even a loud, clunky version—off the coast of Hawaii or California, the entire US missile defense strategy has to be rewritten.
But there's a twist.
While Kim is showing off his new toys, US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have been signaling they want to talk. Trump even called North Korea "sort of a nuclear power" during his Asia trip back in October. That’s a huge deal. It’s basically acknowledging the reality that denuclearization—the holy grail of US policy for thirty years—might be dead.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Air France Crash Toronto Miracle Still Changes How We Fly
Why Kim Isn't Picking Up the Phone
You’d think Kim would be jumping at the chance to meet with Trump again, right? Wrong.
Honestly, the vibe from Pyongyang is "been there, done that." They haven't forgotten the 2019 Hanoi summit where things fell apart. Right now, North Korea is playing hard to get. In his New Year’s address on December 31, 2025, Kim didn't even mention the US or South Korea. Not once.
Instead, he talked about "patriotism" and "economic development."
Kibum Han, an expert writing for 38 North, pointed out that North Korea is currently pursuing a strategy of "security with Russia, economy with China." They’re sending artillery shells and even troops to help Russia in Ukraine, and in return, they’re getting the tech they need for those fancy nuclear subs. They don't need Washington as much as they used to.
The New Nuclear Domino Effect
Here is what’s really fueling the latest north korea america news cycle: the US just gave South Korea the green light to build its own nuclear-powered submarines.
🔗 Read more: Robert Hanssen: What Most People Get Wrong About the FBI's Most Damaging Spy
This happened back in November 2025. It’s a massive shift. For decades, the US held South Korea back from developing high-level nuclear tech. Now, under the new "standalone agreement," Seoul is allowed to enrich uranium for submarine fuel.
Kim Jong Un is, predictably, furious. He called the US-Seoul deal an "aggressive act" and a "security threat."
So, here’s the snapshot of where we are in early 2026:
- North Korea is building an 8,700-ton nuclear sub with potential Russian help.
- South Korea is starting its own nuclear sub program with US backing.
- The US is trying to restart talks but keeps getting "left on read" by Pyongyang.
- China is watching the whole thing nervously, telling everyone to "act with prudence."
What Happens at the Ninth Party Congress?
Everyone in the intelligence community is circling February 2026 on their calendars. That’s when the Workers’ Party of Korea is expected to hold its Ninth Party Congress.
This is the big one. It’s where Kim Jong Un will officially lay out his plan for the next five years. Most analysts, like Dr. Edward Howell from Chatham House, think Kim will demand three things before he even considers a meeting with Trump:
💡 You might also like: Why the Recent Snowfall Western New York State Emergency Was Different
- Formal recognition as a nuclear state (no more "denuclearization" talk).
- A total lift of the heaviest economic sanctions.
- A massive scale-back of US-South Korea military drills.
Is the US ready to give in? Probably not. But the "coexistence" framing is starting to pop up in DC think tanks. Basically, the idea is: "We can't make them give up the nukes, so how do we live with them without blowing each other up?"
The Russia-Ukraine Connection
We can't talk about north korea america news without mentioning the "blood alliance" Kim recently reaffirmed with Putin. North Korean soldiers have been serving with Russian forces, and Kim even bestowed "hero" titles on those killed in the conflict in December.
This partnership is the ultimate wild card. Every shell North Korea sends to the front lines in Ukraine is a credit they can cash in for Russian missile sensors, satellite tech, or submarine silencing expertise. This bypasses US sanctions entirely. It makes the US "maximum pressure" campaign look kinda... well, useless.
Actionable Insights: What to Watch For
The situation is moving fast, but there are a few "tells" that will show us where this is going. If you're looking for the next big break in this story, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
- The State of the Union Address: Watch for whether Trump uses his upcoming speech to offer a "formal statement of a new desired end-state." If he drops the word "denuclearization" and replaces it with "peaceful coexistence," the doors to Pyongyang might actually swing open.
- Submarine Sea Trials: If North Korea actually puts that 8,700-ton sub in the water for testing this spring, expect a massive US military buildup in Guam and Okinawa.
- The "Succession" Clues: Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is appearing in public more than ever. If she's featured prominently at the February Party Congress, it signals that Kim is digging in for the long haul—he’s building a nuclear dynasty, not a temporary bargaining chip.
Keep an eye on the Sea of Japan (or the East Sea, depending on who you ask). The first missile launch of 2026 already happened on January 5—a hypersonic test that flew 1,000 km. It won't be the last.