North Korea threatens action over US nuclear submarine's arrival in South Korea

North Korea has strongly condemned the arrival of a US nuclear submarine in South Korea, accusing the United States of disregarding its security concerns and warning that it is prepared to take any necessary action to defend its national interests.

In a statement released by the North Korean defence ministry, the regime expressed anger over the presence of the USS Alexandria, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, which docked at the Busan naval base, located about 320 kilometres southeast of Seoul, for resupply and crew rest, Caliber.Az reports referencing Korean media outlets.

The spokesperson for the North Korean defence ministry described the submarine’s arrival as a blatant manifestation of the US's “unchanging hysteria” in its confrontation with North Korea. The spokesperson further called the submarine's presence an “undeniable threat” to North Korea’s security.

“The US openly ignores the security concerns of North Korea,” the statement read, adding that the country was expressing “grave concern” over the situation and warning the US to stop actions that provoke instability.

The North Korean statement also noted that the country’s armed forces are closely monitoring the increased presence of US strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. “We are ready to use any means to protect the security and interests of the state as well as regional peace,” the defence ministry spokesman warned.

Furthermore, the spokesperson stressed that North Korea’s armed forces would take “measures to deter factors threatening regional security” and would not hesitate to “exercise the legitimate right to punish provocateurs.”

Under the declaration, unveiled by the countries' presidents, South Korea and the US have committed to engaging in deeper dialogue and information sharing to strengthen nuclear deterrence efforts on the peninsula.

By Tamilla Hasanova