Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Park Du-sun takes questions at a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday. [Yonhap]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Park Du-sun takes questions at a regular briefing at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday. [Yonhap]

South Korea on Thursday rebuffed North Korea's claim that Seoul's nuclear-powered submarine program ultimately aims to develop nuclear weapons and will further destabilize regional security.

"Our development of nuclear-powered submarines is a legitimate and defensive measure to respond to the rapidly changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities and its own construction of nuclear-powered submarines," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Du-sun said at a briefing.

Jang Gum-chol, North Korea's first vice foreign minister and director of the 10th Bureau, which handles inter-Korean affairs, issued a statement Wednesday warning that "South Korea's bid to possess nuclear submarines will inevitably trigger a nuclear domino effect in the Asia-Pacific region."

Park said the conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines Seoul seeks to acquire "fully comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," adding that South Korea had made clear through its basic plan for nuclear-powered submarines, announced in May, that it would strictly adhere to international nonproliferation norms throughout the acquisition process.

"As a model state that has faithfully fulfilled its obligations under the NPT, we will continue to communicate closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the basis of transparency throughout the submarine acquisition process," Park said. He added that Seoul would consistently convey its position to all relevant members of the international community and all countries concerned.


sunpine@heraldcorp.com