North Korea has denounced the arrival of the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Alexandria (SSN-757) in Busan, South Korea, warning that it will “counter with equivalent force.”
In a statement published by the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers’ Party newspaper, on February 11, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of National Defense criticized the deployment of the submarine, calling it an overt expression of Washington’s unwavering confrontational stance against Pyongyang.”
“This is the first public appearance of a U.S. nuclear submarine in the Korean Peninsula region this year, further demonstrating America’s reckless and persistent hostility toward our republic,” the spokesperson stated. “We strongly warn the U.S. to cease its provocations that only escalate instability in the region.”
The statement also asserted that North Korea views the U.S. as a “hegemonic entity obsessed with dominance through military strength,” and emphasized that Pyongyang’s only response to such threats is to counter them with its own force.
“Our armed forces are closely monitoring the frequent deployment of U.S. strategic assets in the Korean Peninsula region,” the spokesperson added. “We are prepared to take any necessary measures to protect our national security and regional peace. We will make our stance and response against our adversaries even clearer.”
The statement also appeared to justify North Korea’s recent military advancements, saying, “The current reality reaffirms the legitimacy of our leader’s newly declared nuclear capabilities and self-defense measures. We will not retreat even an inch in this confrontation with our hostile adversaries.”
Reiterating its stance, Pyongyang warned that it would not hesitate to exercise its “legitimate right” to carry out deterrence actions and retaliate against provocations.
On February 10, the USS Alexandria, a nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned in 1991, arrived at the Busan Naval Base for routine replenishment and crew rest. The submarine measures 110 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and has a displacement of over 6,000 tons. This marks the vessel’s first-ever visit to South Korea.
While the USS Alexandria’s arrival was part of routine operations, North Korea has consistently reacted strongly to the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in the region. Analysts believe Pyongyang’s latest statement is a direct response to the submarine’s presence, reinforcing its long-standing opposition to what it perceives as U.S. military provocations.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
