Pyongyang: North Korea has criticized the United States over its nuclear submarine deal with Australia, labeling it a danger to regional peace.
The agreement, part of the AUKUS security pact signed in 2021 between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K., has drawn strong opposition from Pyongyang, according to a commentary published by North Korean state media KCNA on Thursday.
The statement warned Washington about the potential consequences of forming nuclear alliances, singling out both the AUKUS partnership and trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan.
The criticism comes as Australia recently made its first $500 million payment to the U.S. as part of the AUKUS deal. Under the agreement, Australia is set to invest $3 billion into the U.S. submarine industry and acquire several Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines starting in the early 2030s.
North Korea further accused the U.S. of seeking regional dominance and asserted that nuclear-armed states, including itself, would not remain passive in the face of such developments. Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned military ties between South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., referring to the alliance as an "Asian version of NATO."
Meanwhile, South Korea’s defense ministry confirmed that a joint air drill was conducted with the U.S. on Thursday. The exercise, which included at least one B-1B strategic bomber, was intended to demonstrate Washington’s extended deterrence capabilities in response to North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile threats, according to a ministry statement.
