North Korea Warns Japan Over Nuclear-Powered Submarine Debate
Pyongyang accused Japan of using a debate over nuclear-powered submarines to prepare the ground for eventually acquiring nuclear weapons, escalating regional tensions over Tokyo’s evolving defense policy.
North Korea criticized Japan’s consideration of nuclear-powered submarines on Thursday, portraying the debate as a step toward the eventual acquisition of nuclear weapons and warning that it could intensify military confrontation in Northeast Asia.
The criticism was delivered by Pak Ju-won, identified as an international security analyst, in an article carried by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency. Pak argued that Japanese political forces were seeking to normalize the idea of operating nuclear-powered submarines and use that shift as a foundation for pursuing nuclear arms over the longer term.
Pak also accused Tokyo of trying to build public support for adding nuclear-related issues to Japan’s central security documents, which are expected to be revised by the end of the year. His comments reflect Pyongyang’s broader argument that changes in Japanese defense policy are upsetting the regional military balance.
The statement followed remarks in late September by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who said the government was not ruling out a review of Japan’s three nonnuclear principles or the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Koizumi said discussions of nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines should take place without taboos.
Japan’s three nonnuclear principles commit the country not to possess, produce or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons. Nuclear-powered submarines, however, are propelled by nuclear reactors and are not necessarily armed with nuclear weapons. North Korea’s statement nevertheless presented the two issues as part of the same long-term trajectory.
Pak said Japan had moved away from the restraint associated with its postwar exclusively defense-oriented policy. He claimed that Tokyo’s direction was creating a new source of conflict in the region and used the development to defend North Korea’s own military buildup as necessary to protect its sovereignty and security.
The warning adds another point of friction to an already tense regional security environment. Japan has been debating how to strengthen its defense capabilities, while North Korea continues to expand its missile, naval and nuclear programs. Pyongyang regularly condemns military cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, arguing that the partnership threatens its security.
Pak concluded with a direct warning that Japan’s pursuit of access to nuclear-powered submarines would bring disaster to the country. The statement did not announce any specific North Korean countermeasure.