North Korea’s defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, stated that the deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers, or missile submarines in South Korea could meet the criteria for North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons, according to state media KCNA. This statement raises tensions as both sides increase displays of military force in the ongoing standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
The defense minister’s statement also criticized the United States and South Korea for escalating tensions in the region and expressed disapproval of the first meeting of their Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).
According to the statement, the increasing visibility of the deployment of strategic nuclear submarines and other assets may fall under the conditions specified in North Korea’s law regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
The KCNA report highlighted the arrival of the nuclear-armed Ohio-class U.S. ballistic missile submarine in Busan as a dangerous development, indicating that a military clash on the Korean peninsula is becoming a reality.
In response, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the NCG meeting and the deployment of the USS Kentucky were defensive countermeasures against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The ministry emphasized that North Korea would not receive concessions for its nuclear development and threats, which would only lead to increased isolation and hardships.
The KCNA report followed an incident where a U.S. soldier crossed the border into North Korea during a period of heightened tension between the two Koreas and the United States. North Korea has not yet commented on this incident.
Last year, North Korea passed a new nuclear law declaring itself a nuclear-armed state, with conditions under which it might resort to nuclear use. Analysts suggest that North Korea sees the visit of the submarine as consistent with those conditions and aims to dissuade the United States from further reassurances to South Korea.
The article was reported by Hyunsu Yim, with additional reporting by Josh Smith. It was edited by Bernadette Baum, Mike Harrison, and Tom Hogue. The article adheres to the Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles.
