North Korea Slams US Submarine Docking in South Korea as ‘Hostile Military Act’

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By Staff Writer of Warfare Journal with Agencies

Seoul, South Korea – February 11, 2025

North Korea has sharply criticized North Korea after the USS Alexandria, a nuclear-powered submarine, docked at a South Korean naval base in Pusan on Monday. The move, which was reportedly for routine resupply, has intensified tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korean officials calling it a “hostile military act.”

In a statement released Tuesday through the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a North Korean defense ministry spokesperson expressed “grave concern” over the arrival of the U.S. submarine, warning that such actions could escalate military tensions in the region and potentially lead to armed conflict.

“We express grave concern over the U.S. dangerous hostile military act that can lead the acute military confrontation in the region around the Korean peninsula to an actual armed force conflict,” the spokesperson said, underscoring North Korea’s objections to U.S. military activities near its borders.

The North Korean government condemned the U.S. for continuing what it called provocations and for disregarding the security concerns of Pyongyang. The statement urged Washington to “stop provocations stirring up the instability any longer,” warning that the U.S. was ignoring North Korea’s security needs in its broader strategic calculations.

Yonhap news agency reported that the USS Alexandria’s visit to Busan is part of regular naval operations, with a similar visit occurring last November. However, North Korean authorities have expressed growing frustration over the repeated presence of U.S. military assets in South Korea, a longstanding ally of Washington and a key strategic partner in the region.

“Our armed forces are strictly watching the frequent appearance of the U.S. 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 spokesperson added, suggesting that North Korea is prepared to respond to what it sees as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.

Pyongyang’s Growing Concerns Over U.S. Military Presence

This latest exchange comes amidst ongoing concerns in North Korea over U.S. military activity in the region. The docking of U.S. submarines and the regular deployment of strategic forces have become a flashpoint for tensions on the peninsula. North Korean officials have been vocal in condemning what they see as a direct challenge to their national security.

Pyongyang has also increasingly pointed to its nuclear capabilities as a cornerstone of its defense strategy. In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the country’s nuclear program “indefinitely,” despite international calls for denuclearization.

Kim’s vow to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal highlights the continued deadlock in negotiations with the United States. During the Trump administration, a series of high-profile summits between Kim and then-President Donald Trump drew attention, but talks ultimately collapsed in 2019 over disagreements regarding sanctions relief and North Korea’s willingness to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

Despite the failure of those talks, President Trump has continued to express interest in engaging with Kim, calling him a “smart guy” and indicating that he might reach out again. However, the shadow of past failed negotiations looms large, as both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions.

North Korea’s Growing Defiance

The U.S. submarine docking incident also follows remarks by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio earlier this month, in which he labeled North Korea a “rogue state” during a radio interview. In response, Pyongyang reiterated its stance that it would not tolerate any further provocations from the United States.

North Korea’s harsh response to the submarine’s arrival highlights its broader concerns over the U.S. military’s presence in South Korea, which it views as a constant threat to its security. The incident also serves as a reminder of the fragile and volatile nature of diplomatic relations on the Korean Peninsula, where even routine military operations can spark intense reactions.

The situation remains tense, and with both countries continuing to assert their positions, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the broader security dynamics in East Asia.

As both the U.S. and North Korea continue to navigate this precarious relationship, the presence of military assets like the USS Alexandria will likely continue to be a flashpoint in an ongoing geopolitical standoff that shows no signs of resolution shortly.