Government: Nuclear-Powered Submarine is a 'Legitimate Defensive Measure'... Rebutting North Korea's Criticism

The government refuted North Korea's claims on the 13th that South Korea's ultimate goal in building a nuclear-powered submarine is to develop nuclear weapons and that it will further destabilize regional security.

During a briefing today, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Park Doo-soon emphasized, "Our development of a nuclear-powered submarine is a legitimate and defensive measure aimed at responding to the rapidly changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's advanced nuclear and missile capabilities and its own nuclear submarine construction."

"The conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine we seek to acquire fully complies with the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)," Spokesperson Park said. "Through the basic plan for South Korea's nuclear submarine announced last May, we made it clear that we will firmly adhere to international non-proliferation norms during the process of introducing a nuclear submarine."

"As an exemplary nation that has faithfully fulfilled its obligations under the NPT, we will continue to communicate closely with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) based on transparency throughout the process of introducing the nuclear submarine," he added. "We will communicate this position to the relevant international community and all related countries while consistently maintaining our stance."

Previously, Chang Geum-chol, North Korea's first vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and director of the 10th Department in charge of inter-Korean relations, criticized the move in a statement the previous day, claiming that "South Korea's attempt to acquire a nuclear submarine will inevitably result in triggering a nuclear domino effect in the Asia-Pacific region."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.