(LEAD) N. Korea's Wed. rebuke marks its 1st official stance on Seoul's nuclear submarine push: official

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's harsh rebuke of South Korea's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines marked the Korean Peninsula nation's first official stance on the matter, a South Korean unification ministry official stated on Thursday. In a commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) the previous day, Jang Kum-chol, the first vice minister of North Korea's foreign ministry, argued that Seoul's effort to develop nuclear submarines signaled a step toward nuclear armament.

Jang warned that enhanced nuclear cooperation between Seoul and Washington on submarine development would further destabilize the Korean Peninsula and urged his country to acquire unmatched power capable of neutralizing all potential threats. This marks the first official statement outlining North Korea's basic position on the issue, the unification ministry official noted.

The timing was particularly significant, as it coincided with Pyongyang's intensifying propaganda campaign against Japan's nuclear policy, along with trilateral security cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo. North Korea likely perceives these developments as security threats it must counter, according to a source, suggesting that the commentary reflects a recent trend of North Korea aligning itself more closely with the security positions of Russia and China.

Seoul's foreign ministry responded to Pyongyang's claim that South Korea is moving toward nuclear armament, stating that the development of nuclear-powered submarines is a defensive measure in response to a dramatically changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula. The ministry spokesperson emphasized that the conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines the government seeks to build are consistent with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and that as a country that has faithfully implemented its obligations under the NPT, South Korea will continue close and transparent consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).