Seoul – In a statement released on Wednesday, North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) charged the United States with widening a “nuclear submarine alliance” that it claims undermines worldwide nuclear stability. The accusation comes as the fifth anniversary of the AUKUS defence pact between the United States, Australia and Britain approaches.
U.S. push on nuclear‑powered submarines
KCNA cited an international affairs analyst, Choe Ju Hyon, who alleged that a senior U.S. naval official encouraged Japan and South Korea to pursue nuclear‑powered submarines. The analyst argued that the AUKUS agreement – which helps Australia acquire nuclear‑powered submarines – has become a template the United States seeks to extend to additional allies, including the two East Asian partners.
According to the commentary, Washington’s encouragement of nuclear‑powered submarine programs in Japan and South Korea, combined with ongoing discussions in Tokyo, provides North Korea with a rationale to continue expanding its own nuclear deterrent.
North Korea’s own submarine program
North Korean state media recently released photos showing a largely completed hull of a submarine that Kim Jong Un inspected at a shipyard in December. The vessel, described as an 8,700‑ton‑class nuclear‑propelled submarine, is portrayed as a crucial step in modernising and arming the Korean People’s Navy with nuclear capability.
Separately, KCNA reported that a delegation from the Ministry of National Defence, led by Vice Minister Kim Kang Il, left Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a regional security conference in China.
Context and implications
The United States has consistently argued that a credible nuclear‑powered submarine fleet among its allies enhances deterrence against aggression in the Indo‑Pacific region. Proponents say that such capabilities help maintain a balance of power and protect vital sea lanes.
North Korea, however, views these moves as a direct threat to its security, using them to justify its own weapons development. The regime’s narrative frames its submarine buildup as a defensive response to perceived U.S. expansionism.
While the United States has not directly responded to the KCNA statement, officials have reiterated that their submarine initiatives are aimed at strengthening collective security and do not constitute a provocation.
What’s next?
Analysts note that the ongoing dialogue at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum could shape future security dynamics in the region. Observers will watch how the United States, its AUKUS partners, and East Asian allies navigate the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation.
For now, the exchange underscores the continuing strategic rivalry in the Pacific, with both sides presenting their actions as necessary for national security.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
