North Korea has issued a stark warning that South Korea's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines with American approval could trigger a dangerous "nuclear domino" effect across the region. The provocative statement came on Tuesday through the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
Confrontational Accusations and Security Concerns
Pyongyang strongly condemned the recent agreement between Seoul and Washington, claiming it reveals the "true colours of the confrontational will" of both nations to "remain hostile" toward North Korea. The North Korean government asserted that this submarine development plan, combined with recent large-scale joint military exercises, poses grave challenges to their national security and significantly worsens regional stability.
The controversial agreement originated from last month's summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. The jointly released details on Friday included a firm commitment to disarm North Korea's nuclear arsenal while simultaneously granting Seoul the green light to pursue its long-desired goal of building nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Regional Implications and Arms Race Fears
North Korea accused South Korea of secretly advancing what it called a "long-cherished ambition to possess nuclear weapons." Pyongyang warned that this development is bound to set off a "nuclear domino phenomenon" throughout the region, potentially sparking an unprecedented arms race among neighboring countries.
South Korean President Lee has defended the submarine program as critical for maintaining military readiness against China's expanding naval forces and addressing the serious threat posed by North Korea's own efforts to develop nuclear-powered submarines. The strategic importance of underwater naval capabilities has become increasingly significant in regional security calculations.
Diplomatic Reactions and Expert Analysis
In response to the escalating rhetoric, South Korean presidential office spokesperson Kang Yu-jung clarified on Tuesday that Seoul harbors no hostile or confrontational intentions against the North. She emphasized that cooperation with the United States is solely intended to protect South Korea's national security interests in the face of growing threats.
Hong Min, a prominent North Korea expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, provided crucial insight into the situation. He indicated that North Korea's aggressive commentary demonstrates its continued unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with Washington as long as the United States refuses to recognize Pyongyang as a nuclear state.
The diplomatic landscape remains complex, with President Trump expressing readiness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two leaders previously met three times during Trump's first presidential term, aiming to negotiate a nuclear agreement, but ultimately failed to reach a sustainable compromise that would address international concerns about North Korea's nuclear program.
