North Korea has criticised the United States’ approval for South Korea to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, calling the move a “dangerous development” that could increase instability across the Asia-Pacific region.
In a statement published by state media KCNA, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the approval would add to political and military tensions in the region.
Pyongyang also accused Washington of promoting nuclear proliferation, pointing to the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the US as part of what it described as America’s “radical nuclear arms buildup”.
The ministry claimed such policies had contributed to what it called the “collapse of the international nuclear order”.
South Korea plans to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s under a programme aimed at countering North Korea’s submarine-launched nuclear and missile capabilities.
The submarine programme was agreed between Seoul and Washington as part of a broader trade deal reached between the two allies last year.
The development comes amid heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with both North and South Korea continuing to expand and modernise their military capabilities.
