North Korea is turning toward the maritime domain. Backed by deepening strategic alignment with China and Russia and the rapid advancement of its military capabilities, Pyongyang has redefined the maritime domain as a multidimensional strategic space essential for regime survival and national development. It is now pursuing a systematic evolution of its maritime strategy that moves far beyond its traditional role as a coastal navy. The recent construction of large surface combatants, the unveiling of both conventional and nuclear-powered submarine equipped with submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and the launch of a new destroyer reflect an active push to modernize its naval forces. In parallel, Pyongyang has begun promoting new concepts such as “maritime sovereignty,” “blue-water navy,” and “intermediate waters,” signaling a clear intent to reshape the maritime status quo.

Structurally, the regime’s maritime strategy is dual-tracked. In the short term, sanctions-evading maritime activities, the sale of fishing rights, and access to foreign currency continue to serve as critical economic lifelines. Over the longer term, Pyongyang seeks to expand nuclear force employment options, strengthen trilateral ties with China and Russia, develop maritime tourism zones, and expand its fisheries sector. In this context, South Korea must respond to North Korea’s strengthening maritime domain awareness (MDA). First, Seoul should reinforce integrated maritime surveillance and early-warning capabilities through enhanced cooperation between the Navy and the Coast Guard to detect and respond to Pyongyang’s expanding blue-water capabilities and potential maritime provocations. Second, ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral naval cooperation should be strengthened, with emphasis on missile defense integration and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) interoperability to establish a naval-centered collective security framework. Third, South Korea should concretize its Indo-Pacific strategy to mitigate the regional security risks posed by North Korea’s expanding maritime strategy.