The United States’ role in South Korea’s submarine program has drawn the ire of North Korea. On Tuesday, Pyongyang condemned the agreement between Seoul and Washington, warning that U.S. support for the deal would trigger a “nuclear domino” effect. The commentary described the pact as a “dangerous attempt at confrontation.”
The deal was finalized last week by President Lee Jae Myung. It secures U.S. backing for South Korea to expand its authority over uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing. North Korea views this collaboration as a major threat, predicting it will spark a “hot arms race” in the region.
This reaction comes just a day after Seoul proposed military talks to prevent border clashes, the first offer in seven years. President Lee has sought to engage the North without preconditions, but the U.S. factor complicates the picture. The North views the U.S.-ROK alliance as the primary source of tension.
The “nuclear domino” warning implies that the U.S. is facilitating proliferation. North Korea is arguing that Washington is destabilizing the region by empowering its ally. This narrative attempts to drive a wedge between the U.S. and South Korea.
North Korea has not yet responded to the offer for military talks. The focus on the U.S. role suggests that the North views the submarine deal as part of a broader American strategy. The region remains caught in the crossfire of great power politics.
