The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Monday slammed the US and UK’s move to provide Australia with the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines, and said it will definitely take corresponding measures if the deal has a slightest adverse impact on North Korea’s national security, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The KCNA quoted the chief of the Foreign News Section of the Department of Press and Information of North Korea’s Foreign Ministry as saying that the US and UK’s decision was an “extremely dangerous act” that would upset the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region and trigger a nuclear arms race.
According to the North Korean media, the unnamed official said that the White House’s decision amounts to an argument that the US can transfer nuclear technology to any country if it’s in the US interests. The official also criticized the US new administration’s increasing double standards, accusing the US of undermining international norms and order and seriously threatening the world peace and stability.
The official said that the North Korea was closely examining the background and prospect of the deal and that the country would certainly take necessary actions if the deal has even the slightest adverse impact on North Korea’s national security.
After the new security partnership was unveiled on Wednesday among Australia, Britain and the US, known as AUKUS, relevant countries have denounced the undesirable act that could jeopardize regional peace and stability as well as the international nuclear non-proliferation system.
US President Joe Biden participates in a virtual press conference on national security in the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday US time, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in attendance via video link. Biden announced that the US is forming a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with the UK and Australia. Photo: AFP
