On Tuesday, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of National Defense declared in the regime’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, that the public appearance of the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine USS Alexandria in Busan is a clear manifestation of America’s unwavering obsession with confronting North Korea.
The statement accused the U.S. of disregarding North Korea’s security concerns and issued a stern warning to stop provocations that could destabilize the region further. It emphasized that North Korea’s response doctrine demands an equally strong counterforce to challenge U.S. military dominance.
The spokesperson stressed that North Korea is closely monitoring the frequent deployments of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula and is prepared to defend its security and regional stability by any means necessary. The statement hinted at potential military actions: “We will further clarify our course of action and response methods against our adversaries.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson tied recent developments to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s declaration of new nuclear capabilities and self-defense measures, stating, “We will not yield an inch in our confrontation with the oppressive enemy state.” The statement underscored the importance of North Korea’s nuclear power in its defense strategy.
The spokesperson asserted, “Our military forces, ever-faithful to their constitutional duty of safeguarding national security, will not hesitate to execute deterrent actions against threats to regional stability and exercise their legitimate right to retaliate against provocateurs.”
The USS Alexandria docked at the U.S. naval base in Busan on Monday for resupply and crew rest. The Los Angeles-class submarine, commissioned in 1991, is making its first visit to South Korean waters. The Alexandria’s port call is considered a routine operation at 360 feet long, 33 feet wide, and weighing over 6,000 tons. However, North Korea has historically responded strongly to deploying U.S. strategic assets near the Korean Peninsula, likely prompting this latest statement from its Defense Ministry.