North Korea threatens retaliation following the docking of a US nuclear submarine in Busan

Department of Research, Studies and International News 11-02-2025

Pyongyang Condemns US Military Presence, Citing Escalating Tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea has issued a stern warning, asserting that its military is fully prepared to take any necessary measures in response to what it perceives as a significant provocation by the United States. This reaction follows the recent docking of a US Navy fast-attack nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Alexandria, at the South Korean port city of Busan. The North Korean government has strongly condemned this move, claiming that it poses a serious threat to its national security and serves as further proof of Washington’s confrontational stance toward Pyongyang.

Pyongyang Denounces US Actions as an Aggressive Military Escalation

On Tuesday, North Korea’s state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a statement from the country’s Ministry of Defense, denouncing the presence of the USS Alexandria in South Korea. The statement described the submarine’s deployment as a “blatant manifestation of the United States’ unwavering obsession with confrontation.” Pyongyang framed this action as yet another example of Washington’s hostile policies, which it claims are aimed at destabilizing the region and provoking an armed conflict.

The ministry further warned that such aggressive military maneuvers could lead to a direct military clash on the Korean Peninsula. The statement emphasized that the North Korean armed forces are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to “exercise the legitimate right to punish the provokers without hesitation.” The North Korean government also accused the United States of operating as a hegemonic power, asserting that Washington relies too heavily on its military strength to assert dominance over other nations.

Details of the USS Alexandria’s Visit to Busan

The USS Alexandria, an advanced, nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine assigned to the US Pacific Fleet, is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are capable of striking long-range targets with precision. While South Korean military officials refrained from commenting directly on Pyongyang’s latest remarks, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security in coordination with their American counterparts.

For years, North Korea has consistently denounced joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea, regarding them as preparations for an invasion rather than defensive drills. Pyongyang has often reacted to these exercises with military provocations, ranging from ballistic missile tests to threats of retaliatory action.

Just days before the USS Alexandria’s arrival, North Korea had already issued a warning, cautioning that the recent US-South Korea military drills conducted near its border, approximately 16 miles (25.7 kilometers) away, would lead to “undesirable consequences.” The North Korean leadership frequently accuses Washington and Seoul of deliberately escalating tensions in the region by conducting these exercises close to its territory.

In recent weeks, North Korea has noticeably intensified its rhetoric against the United States, despite previous diplomatic engagements during former US President Donald Trump’s tenure. Notably, during Trump’s first term in office, Washington and Pyongyang experienced an unusual period of diplomatic engagement, with three high-profile summits between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un taking place between 2018 and 2019.

Despite the imposition of strict economic sanctions on North Korea and frequent public exchanges of threats and insults, Trump and Kim maintained a surprisingly cordial relationship, leading to historic meetings, including Trump’s unprecedented step onto North Korean soil in 2019. This marked the first time a sitting US president had done so since the signing of the 1953 armistice, which effectively ended active combat in the Korean War.

However, under the Biden administration, diplomatic talks have stalled, and North Korea has returned to a more aggressive stance, emphasizing its military capabilities and issuing frequent warnings against perceived US provocations. The recent docking of the USS Alexandria in Busan is likely to further fuel tensions, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in an already volatile region.

Rising Tensions and Uncertain Prospects for Diplomacy

North Korea’s latest warning highlights the continued volatility of the Korean Peninsula, where military confrontations, strategic alliances, and geopolitical posturing shape the security landscape. As Pyongyang continues to denounce US military actions and bolsters its

own defensive and offensive capabilities, the prospects for renewed diplomacy remain uncertain.

With tensions on the rise, regional stability hangs in the balance, leaving the international community watching closely to see how the US, South Korea, and North Korea navigate this increasingly complex and precarious situation.