Foreign Ministry Rebuts North Korea's Claim That South Korea's Nuclear Submarine Program Is a Step Toward Nuclear Armament, Calling It a "Legitimate and Defensive Measure"

The South Korean government has countered North Korea's claim that South Korea's development of a nuclear-powered submarine is a step toward nuclear armament, stating that it is a "legitimate and defensive measure." While North Korea has characterized South Korea's nuclear submarine program as a security threat linked to its own nuclear weapons development, the government emphasized that the move is a rightful response to North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs signboard.

A Foreign Ministry official said on August 13 regarding North Korea's criticism of South Korea's nuclear submarine initiative, "Our development of a nuclear-powered submarine is a legitimate and defensive measure to respond to the rapidly changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula, such as North Korea’s advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities and its construction of nuclear-powered submarines."

The official further stressed, "The conventional-armed nuclear-powered submarine we seek to acquire fully complies with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." This statement is interpreted as a rebuttal to North Korea's claim that South Korea's development would lead to its own nuclear armament, with the government reaffirming its commitment to the international non-proliferation regime.

The official added, "Through measures such as the announcement of the 'Korea Nuclear Submarine Basic Plan' in May, we made it clear that we will firmly adhere to international non-proliferation norms throughout the introduction process. As a model state that has faithfully fulfilled its obligations under the NPT, we will continue to ensure transparency in the acquisition process and maintain close communication with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Jang Kum-chol, North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister and Director of the Tenth Bureau, said in a statement released the previous day via the Korean Central News Agency that South Korea's nuclear submarine development plan is "a serious challenge to the security and maritime sovereignty of our country and a security threat that must be countered."

Vice Minister Jang also stated that South Korea had raised the issue of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel as a priority and demanded a revision of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. He asserted, "South Korea's ultimate goal is to secure the right to produce nuclear materials and, ultimately, to pave the way for nuclear armament."

North Korea also cited South Korea's development of nuclear submarines as a reason for strengthening its own nuclear weapons capability. Vice Minister Jang stated, "The possession of unique strength that allows us to launch retaliatory strikes rendering the survival and regeneration of the enemy impossible in response to the adversaries' military moves is the most responsible choice for deterring war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.