North Korea has criticised the United States' plan to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula, warning that it could lead to a catastrophic nuclear conflict. The move, agreed upon during a summit between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, would mark the first time since 1981 that US strategic nuclear weapons would be introduced to the region, according to a statement from North Korea's defence ministry. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) carried the statement, expressing deep concern about the regional military tensions and the potential for a nuclear crisis. North Korea denounced the US plan as nuclear blackmail and a grave threat to peace, emphasising that the US would be held responsible for any unexpected situation that arises. The deployment of US strategic assets aims to enhance the response to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program.
North Korea raised alarms about the dangerous situation created by the presence of nuclear submarines, stating that it made a nuclear confrontation seem unavoidable. The country also accused the US of violating its airspace with reconnaissance planes and warned of the possibility of shooting down a US air force strategic reconnaissance plane. North Korea referred to past incidents of shooting down or intercepting US aircraft at the border with South Korea and off the coast. These statements come as President Yoon prepares to attend the NATO summit in Lithuania, where he plans to stress the importance of international cooperation against North Korea's illegal acts.
Yoon's participation in the NATO summit highlights South Korea's efforts to deepen ties with the military alliance and seek support for deterring North Korea's nuclear weapons program. He emphasised the need for the international community to demonstrate a strong determination to counter North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Yoon also mentioned the institutionalised cooperation between NATO and South Korea in various areas, including non-proliferation and cybersecurity, which will come into effect during the summit.
The escalating tensions between North Korea and the US-South Korea alliance underscore the fragile security situation in the region. While North Korea argues that its weapons-testing activities are defensive measures against perceived military threats, Yoon emphasises the importance of peace through strength and remains open to dialogue with North Korea. The presence of leaders from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand at the NATO summit indicates the growing ties between NATO and countries in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at promoting stability and security in the area. However, North Korea has expressed concerns about the increasing cooperation between NATO and its Asian allies, viewing it as a process to create an "Asian version of NATO" that could fuel regional tensions.
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