North Korea says US approval for South Korea's nuclear submarine increases regional instability

North Korea has criticized the United States' approval for South Korea to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, labeling it a "dangerous development" that increases regional instability. The statement from North Korea's foreign ministry, published by state media KCNA, comes after the US officially endorsed South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) on November 14, following bilateral coordination. This decision marks a significant shift from earlier US-South Korea alliance agreements and fulfills a long-standing demand from Seoul, with President Lee Jae-myung having formally requested the acquisition. The move is seen by South Korea as a crucial step to strengthen its defense posture against North Korea's evolving nuclear and military modernization. North Korea, meanwhile, has consolidated its nuclear posture and entered into a strategic partnership with Russia, passing a law in September 2022 that legitimizes the first use of nuclear weapons in a crisis. A recent poll indicated that 87 percent of the South Korean public favors the introduction of SSNs.