North Korea Promises Response to US Submarine’s Visit to South Korea

In a decisive statement, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, emphasized the need to enhance her country’s nuclear capabilities. This assertion was made in response to the recent arrival of a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine in South Korea, which she branded as a provocation.

North Korea has a history of expressing intentions to expand its nuclear arsenal. However, the latest remarks from Kim Yo Jong come on the heels of heightened regional tensions. Earlier this month, North Korea showcased a new uranium-enrichment facility and conducted a test of a ballistic missile, further escalating military concerns.

According to state media, Kim Yo Jong criticized the U.S. for deploying strategic military assets, stating that the arrival of the submarine unambiguously displayed America’s urgent military ambitions in the region. She insisted that North Korea’s nuclear deterrent must be improved “both in quality and quantity continuously and limitlessly” to address these perceived threats.

She further claimed, “The U.S. strategic assets will never find their resting place in the region of the Korean Peninsula.” Her comments additionally suggested that North Korea might consider testing a missile that targets the location in South Korea where the U.S. submarine is docked. This indicates a willingness to take concrete action in response to the arrival of American military forces.

On the previous day, South Korea’s military reported that the USS Vermont, a fast-attack submarine powered by nuclear energy, had docked in the southeastern port city of Busan. The submarine’s purpose at this location was to replenish supplies and allow crew members some rest before continuing their missions.

Although the temporary positioning of powerful U.S. military assets like aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines in South Korea is a common practice, the frequency and scale of these deployments have increased over the past year. This surge is part of a concerted effort by Washington to showcase its military might in the face of North Korea’s ongoing nuclear advancements.

Pyongyang has often reacted strongly to these deployments, viewing them as aggressions and a testament to hostile U.S. intentions. Such perceptions frequently lead to missile tests conducted by North Korea as demonstrations of their military capabilities.

On September 13, North Korea revealed images of a clandestine facility intended for enriching uranium for nuclear arms. This disclosure marked the first time since 2010 that the nation presented a uranium-enrichment site, having last done so to American visitors at the Yongbyon nuclear complex. Additionally, a newly developed ballistic missile was tested last week, purportedly designed to carry a “4.5-ton super-large conventional warhead,” along with a modified cruise missile.

Since late May, North Korea has engaged in sending numerous balloons filled with trash towards South Korea, akin to psychological tactics seen during the Cold War. These actions have prompted South Korea to resume its propaganda broadcasts via loudspeakers in border regions, aimed at countering North Korean influence.

In light of these developments, the South Korean military issued warnings on Tuesday regarding potential military responses if the North continues its balloon campaign to a level that poses a serious risk to the safety of civilians in South Korea. Military spokesperson Lee Sung Joon did not specify the nature of the potential actions, but he did mention that the army is not currently contemplating the interception of balloons midair due to concerns they may be carrying hazardous materials.

Thus far, North Korea’s balloon initiatives have not resulted in significant harm. However, the situation remains fluid as both nations navigate the escalating tensions in the region.