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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The potential for increased tensions in the region remains a significant concern,<\/strong> with analysts closely monitoring North Korea’s next moves. This development raises serious questions about the future of denuclearization efforts and regional stability.<\/em><\/p>\n