Pyongyang - North Korea has strongly criticized the United States' intention to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula, raising concerns about the possibility of a devastating nuclear conflict. In an official statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea's defense ministry spokesperson expressed alarm over the plan, which was agreed upon during a summit between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in April. The spokesperson warned that the deployment of US strategic nuclear weapons to the region could lead to heightened military tensions and potentially trigger a nuclear crisis.
North Korea deemed the US plan as blatant nuclear blackmail and a grave threat to regional peace. The statement emphasized that the United States would bear full responsibility for any unforeseen circumstances arising from the situation. The US and South Korea aim to bolster their response to North Korea's advancing nuclear and ballistic missile program by increasing the presence of US strategic assets in the area. However, North Korea viewed these moves as creating an extremely dangerous situation, making a nuclear confrontation increasingly likely.
Additionally, North Korea accused the US of violating its airspace with reconnaissance planes near its east coast. The statement cautioned that there was no guarantee that an incident involving the shooting down of a US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane over the East Sea (Sea of Japan) would not occur. North Korea referred to past instances of shooting down or intercepting US aircraft at the border with South Korea and off the coast as examples.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, on the other hand, is attending the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he aims to strengthen ties with the alliance and highlight the importance of international cooperation against North Korea's illicit activities. Yoon stressed the need for the international community to demonstrate a stronger determination to deter North Korea's nuclear weapons program compared to North Korea's desire to develop nuclear weapons. He also mentioned the implementation of a new NATO-South Korea document to institutionalize cooperation in various areas.
Yoon's discussions with NATO leaders regarding North Korea may provoke a response from Pyongyang, which has expressed opposition to increasing cooperation between NATO and US allies in the Asia-Pacific region, claiming it would fuel regional tensions. North Korea justifies its weapons testing as defensive measures in response to joint military drills conducted by South Korea and the US, which it perceives as preparations for an invasion. While Yoon advocates for peace through strength, he remains open to dialogue with North Korea and emphasizes the effectiveness of strong international sanctions in curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.
In a notable development, the NATO summit includes the participation of leaders from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, highlighting the growing ties between NATO and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Last year's summit also extended invitations to these four countries, underscoring the strengthening cooperation between NATO and its partners in the region.