North Korea Slams US Submarine Visit as a Provocative Military Act

On Monday, the USS Alexandria—a nuclear submarine equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles—docked at Busan port in South Korea for routine resupply and crew rest. This move, described by South Korea’s defence ministry as a measure to enhance joint defence preparedness, has now become a flashpoint in the ongoing tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

The North Korean defence ministry sharply criticized the docking, labeling it a “hostile military act” and a “grave security threat.” In its statement, Pyongyang claimed that the presence of the submarine was a clear sign of the United States’ relentless inclination toward militaristic confrontation with North Korea, and it warned of severe repercussions for such provocations.

The event comes amid an increased frequency of temporary deployments by the US military in the region, including aircraft carriers, bombers, and other assets, which Washington has used as a show of force against North Korea. Historically, Pyongyang has reacted strongly to these maneuvers, often describing them as intentionally aggressive and, at times, responding with missile tests.

Recent joint live-fire drills involving South Korean and US forces have further heightened the tension, underscoring the fragile security environment in East Asia. As diplomatic tensions continue to simmer, both sides remain locked in a cycle of posturing and provocative rhetoric, raising concerns over the risk of a miscalculation that could escalate into outright conflict.