North Korea on Tuesday accused the United States of a “hostile military act” after a US Navy submarine docked in arch rival South Korea to replenish supplies.
“We express grave concern over the US dangerous hostile military act that can lead the acute military confrontation in the region around the Korean peninsula to an actual armed force conflict,” a defense ministry spokesperson said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA.
They warned the United States to “stop provocations stirring up the instability any longer,” accusing it of ignoring North Korea’s security concerns.
Yonhap news agency reported that the USS Alexandria, a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at Busan naval base in South Korea on Monday. A similar visit was made last November.
“Our armed forces are strictly watching the frequent appearance of the US strategic means on the Korean peninsula and are ready for using any means to defend the security and interests of the state and the regional peace,” the defense ministry spokesperson said.
They noted the importance of developing the North’s self-defense capabilities and referenced leader Kim Jong Un‘s vow in January that his country’s nuclear program would continue “indefinitely.”
Credit: The Defense Post