Overview
- In its first public response, a KCNA commentary labeled the joint fact sheet a confrontational policy and vowed “justified and realistic” countermeasures.
- Pyongyang singled out U.S. approval for South Korea to pursue nuclear-powered submarines and support for enrichment and reprocessing, claiming these moves risk a regional arms race and a quasi‑nuclear status for Seoul.
- The commentary criticized references to the “complete denuclearization of the DPRK,” calling the phrasing a denial of North Korea’s constitution and existence.
- Analysts noted the message came as a media commentary rather than a named official statement and read the restrained tone as calibrated, with potential to complicate proposed inter‑Korean talks.
- South Korea responded that it has no hostile intent, saying alliance cooperation aims to safeguard peace, after proposing military talks a day earlier to reduce tensions along the border.