[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea has warned that the United States' decision to transfer nuclear-powered submarine construction technology to Australia could "trigger a chain nuclear arms race" and stated that it will take corresponding measures if its national security is affected.
On the 20th, the Director of the Foreign Ministry's Press Department of North Korea said in a Q&A article with the Korean Central News Agency, "Recently, the United States established a trilateral security cooperation framework with the United Kingdom and Australia and decided to transfer nuclear-powered submarine construction technology to Australia. This is a very unpleasant and extremely dangerous act that destroys the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region and triggers a chain nuclear arms race."
He added, "We are rigorously analyzing the background and prospects of the United States' decision, and if it has even the slightest negative impact on our country's security, we will definitely take corresponding measures."
As North Korea emphasized that it will "take corresponding measures," attention is focused on whether it will engage in additional nuclear provocations. The director stated, "The current situation reconfirms that in order to cope with the changing international security environment, we must not delay even for a moment the work of strengthening national defense capabilities from a long-term perspective," thereby justifying the enhancement of defense capabilities.
The director also said, "It is only natural that neighboring countries, including China, have condemned the U.S. action as an irresponsible act that destroys regional peace and stability, the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and intensifies the arms race," and criticized, "The White House spokesperson's statement that 'this decision is for the safety of the Indo-Pacific region' is a claim that any country can spread nuclear technology as long as it aligns with its own interests."
He further pointed out that under the Biden administration, "the United States' double standard behavior has become more pronounced," and stated, "It is destroying universal international norms and order and seriously threatening world peace and stability."
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