North Korea Threatens Retaliation Over South Korea's Submarine Development

North Korea has condemned South Korea's efforts to develop nuclear submarines, threatening to possess the capability for retaliatory strikes that would make its adversaries' survival impossible.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Jang Kum-chul, the North Korean Foreign Ministry's First Vice Minister and head of the Department of South Korean Affairs, stated on August 12, "South Korea's ambition to possess nuclear submarines will inevitably lead to a nuclear domino effect in the Asia-Pacific region."

He emphasized, "Possessing the unique capability to respond to military provocations from hostile nations with retaliatory strikes that render them unable to survive or recover is the most responsible choice for war deterrence."

Jang claimed, "Since around 2003, South Korea has secretly advanced its nuclear submarine construction plans. This fact demonstrates that South Korea's ambition to possess nuclear submarines is not a defensive measure in response to our country's nuclear capabilities or a regional threat."

He further asserted, "South Korea's ultimate goal is to secure the right to produce nuclear materials by escaping the constraints of nuclear spent fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment bans, ultimately paving the way for nuclear armament. The intent behind South Korea's focus on developing nuclear submarines cannot be diluted by anyone's 'nuclear threat' or 'self-defense enhancement.'"

Jang warned that South Korea's push for nuclear submarines poses a serious challenge to the safety and maritime sovereignty of North Korea, which must be addressed as a security threat.