Pyongyang has strongly condemned a recent agreement between South Korea and the United States to develop nuclear-powered submarines, warning that the deal could trigger a “nuclear domino effect” in the region. The announcement follows South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s declaration last week of a finalized security and trade agreement with the U.S., which includes plans to advance the development of nuclear-powered vessels.
Seoul has stated that the agreement provides support for expanding its authority over uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent fuel. In its first official response, North Korea, a nuclear-armed state, characterized the submarine program as a “dangerous attempt at confrontation.”
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the agreement represents a “dangerous development that destabilizes the military security situation in the Asia-Pacific region beyond the Korean Peninsula and causes an uncontrollable nuclear crisis in the international arena.”
Pyongyang further stated that South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear submarines would inevitably trigger a “nuclear domino effect on a global scale” and ignite a fervent arms race. The North Korean statement added that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) would take “more realistic countermeasures.”
In October, North Korean state media reported the ninth and final test of a ballistic missile engine, suggesting a potential full launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the coming months. This warning comes just a day after Seoul proposed military talks with Pyongyang to prevent border clashes, marking the first such offer in seven years.
The potential for increased tensions in the region remains a significant concern, with analysts closely monitoring North Korea’s next moves. This development raises serious questions about the future of denuclearization efforts and regional stability.
