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[INTERNATIONAL] · North Korea, United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia · 6 sources

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North Korea accuses U.S. of pushing South Korea and Japan toward nuclear submarines

North Korea has accused the United States of instigating South Korea and Japan to pursue nuclear-powered submarines, labeling the move as part of a broader strategy to expand nuclear technology to allies.

In a commentary released via the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean analysts claimed that Washington is using the AUKUS security partnership as a blueprint for 'AUKUS 2.0,' which would allow the transfer of nuclear technology to non-nuclear allies. The North described these efforts as 'reckless acts' and a threat to global nuclear security.

The criticism follows remarks from a U.S. Navy official in Hawaii, who suggested that South Korea requires a clear operational rationale for seeking nuclear submarines rather than pursuing them as a 'status symbol.' While the official expressed a more favorable view of Japan's pursuit, North Korea maintains that such developments justify its own ongoing efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrent and develop its own nuclear-powered submarine capabilities.

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AUKUS · AUKUS · Japan · Japan · North Korea · North Korea · South Korea · South Korea · United States · United States

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