Overview
- A KCNA commentary called the allies’ new joint fact sheet a formalized confrontational policy and said the DPRK will take “legitimate and realistic” measures.
- The critique singled out U.S. approval for South Korea to pursue nuclear-powered submarines and support for uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing, calling it a trigger for a regional “nuclear domino.”
- Pyongyang framed the moves as steps toward Seoul becoming a “quasi-nuclear weapons state” and rejected the allies’ pledge of “complete denuclearization” as a denial of the North’s system.
- The response was issued as a commentary rather than in a named official’s statement and avoided direct mentions of leaders, signaling a calibrated message.
- South Korea’s presidential office said it has no hostile intent, emphasized alliance cooperation for regional stability, and pointed to recent proposals for military and broader talks to reduce tensions.