North Korea Condemns U.S.–South Korea Submarine Pact as Regional Threat

Overview

• KCNA issued Pyongyang’s first public reaction on November 18, calling the submarine program a dangerous attempt at confrontation that destabilizes regional and global security.
• Seoul says last week’s U.S.–South Korea deal includes plans for nuclear‑propulsion submarines and American support to expand authority over uranium enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing.
• North Korea warned that South Korean nuclear‑powered submarines would trigger a nuclear domino effect and spark an intense arms race.
• South Korea proposed military talks—the first in seven years—and offered broader discussions without preconditions to reduce border risks, but Pyongyang has not replied.
• Seoul’s presidential spokesperson said the government has no hostile intent toward the North, and Poder360 reported a joint statement outlining U.S. tariff reductions and backing for the program in exchange for a planned $350 billion South Korean investment in the United States.