North Korea has issued a stern warning against the recent deployment of a nuclear-armed submarine by the United States to South Korea. The Ohio-class USS Kentucky docked at the port of Busan, marking the first time an American nuclear-armed submarine has been stationed in South Korea since 1981. This deployment also signifies the return of US nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula for the first time since their withdrawal in 1991.
The US and South Korea's joint efforts to increase cooperation on nuclear weapons, established through the formation of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), coincide with the submarine's arrival. North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam condemned this collaboration, raising concerns about the implications it may have for regional security. Kang accused the US and South Korea of engaging in discussions about potentially using nuclear weapons against North Korea.
The North Korean defense minister further warned that an increased presence of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula may trigger the use of nuclear weapons. He emphasized that Pyongyang's nuclear doctrine allows for necessary action in response to a nuclear attack or a perceived imminent threat, underscoring North Korea's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.
In response to the NCG meeting and North Korea's strong reaction, US officials issued a statement, cautioning that any nuclear attack from the North would result in the end of the regime. This exchange of threats further escalates the already tense situation between the two nations, raising concerns about potential military confrontation.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol boarded the USS Kentucky during its arrival and reiterated the "end of the regime" warning, aligning his nation's stance with that of the United States.
The deployment of the nuclear-armed submarine has sparked a series of missile tests by North Korea in recent days. These actions have fueled ongoing escalations between the two sides and raised regional security concerns. The situation has drawn international attention, with neighboring countries closely monitoring developments in the Korean Peninsula.
Despite mounting tensions, the Biden administration has shown no sign of easing tensions and has pledged to continue deploying strategic assets to the region.
The risk of miscalculation and unintended consequences looms large in a region already fraught with historical animosities and strategic uncertainties. The world watches closely as North Korea and the United States engage in a high stakes standoff with potentially far reaching consequences for regional and global security.