North Korea Condemns AUKUS Submarine Deal as ‘Threat to Regional Peace’

North Korean state media has criticised the United States for its nuclear submarine deal with Australia under the AUKUS partnership, calling it a “threat to regional peace” and warning of potential consequences.

A commentary published by KCNA on Thursday condemned U.S.-led military alliances, singling out AUKUS and Washington’s trilateral security ties with South Korea and Japan. Pyongyang accused the U.S. of using these agreements to expand its influence in the region, claiming nuclear-armed states “will not sit idly by.”

The criticism follows Australia’s first $500 million payment to the U.S. under the AUKUS deal. As part of the agreement, Australia will contribute $3 billion to boost U.S. submarine production and acquire Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines in the early 2030s.

North Korea has repeatedly denounced security cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., referring to it as “the Asian version of NATO.” Pyongyang claims Washington sees North Korea as an obstacle to its strategic goals in the region.

The latest remarks come amid heightened tensions, with North Korea continuing to expand its own military capabilities while criticising growing U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific.

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