The situation in North Korea

Kim Jong-Un shows off the country's "first nuclear submarine"

North Korea has released new photos of what is said to be an advanced stage of construction of the country's first nuclear-powered submarine, reports the AP.

According to the state news agency, Kim Jong-Un visited the shipyard to inspect the submarine, which is said to weigh around 8,700 tons.

- We see the super-powerful offensive capability as the best protection for national security in the development of the armed forces, Kim said, according to the state news agency.

A South Korean analyst tells the news agency that the photos can be interpreted as the submarine being largely completed, meaning that Kim Jong-Un will soon be able to check off an item on his wish list for sophisticated weapons.

Experts: North Korea has likely received Russian help

North Korea's display of a fully welded hull for what it claims is a nuclear-powered submarine has raised suspicions that the country may have received help from Russia. Analysts have long questioned how North Korea could acquire the complex technology required for a nuclear submarine. The fact that construction has progressed this far is remarkable in itself for a heavily sanctioned and poor country, according to experts.

- A complete hull suggests that a reactor may already be installed, says military analyst Hong Min at the Korea Institute for National Unification to The New York Times.

South Korean submarine expert Moon Keun-Sik believes that it is not necessarily the case that North Korea received a reactor from Russia. Rather, he believes that North Korea designed the reactor needed to power the submarine, possibly with some Russian help.