North Korea criticizes US over AUKUS nuclear submarine deal

SEOUL – North Korean state media on Feb 20 criticised the United States for a nuclear submarine deal with Australia under the Aukus partnership signed in 2021, calling it a “threat to regional peace”.

A commentary carried by KCNA said Washington should be wary of consequences for what it said were nuclear alliances, naming Aukus and the trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan.

Australia just made its first US$500 million (S$670 million) payment to the US under the Aukus nuclear submarine deal.

Under Aukus, Australia will pay the United States US$3 billion to boost the capacity of the US submarine industry, and Washington will sell several Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s.

The commentary also argued the US sees North Korea as an obstacle to its establishment of hegemony in the region and said nuclear states will not sit idly by, referring to itself.

North Korea has been criticising the trilateral military cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the US and has called the relationship “the Asian version of Nato”.

South Korea’s defence ministry on Feb 20 said that a joint air drill was held with the US with at least one B-1B strategic bomber taking part.

The drill was to show extended deterrent capabilities by the United States in response to threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, the ministry said in a statement. REUTERS

Join STs Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.