What did North Korea say about Japan’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines?

North Korean analyst Pak Ju-won said Japan’s effort to formalize possession of nuclear-powered submarines would provide a stepping stone toward possessing nuclear weapons in the long run.

Why did North Korea accuse Japan of creating public support for nuclear-related policy changes?

Pak Ju-won cited comments by Japanese officials and claimed Tokyo intended to build public opinion supporting the inclusion of the nuclear issue in key security documents scheduled for revision by the end of the year.

How did North Korea link Japan’s submarine policy to regional security tensions?

Pak Ju-won said Japan’s moves would cause military imbalance and create a new structure of fierce regional conflict. He said the situation supported North Korea’s decision to strengthen its defenses to protect its sovereignty and security.

N. Korea accuses Japan of 'sinister intention' over nuclear-powered submarines

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Summary

North Korea accused Japan of seeking nuclear-powered submarines as a stepping stone toward nuclear weapons in an article carried by KCNA on Thursday. Analyst Pak Ju-won said Tokyo is attempting to build public support for revising nuclear-related provisions in key security documents by the end of the year. He argued that the policy shift could worsen regional military tensions and justified North Korea’s defense buildup.

Key Facts

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said late last month that Japan should discuss nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines without taboos.
Koizumi said the government was keeping open the possibility of revising Japan’s three nonnuclear principles.
Pak Ju-won said Japan was abandoning the veil of exclusive defense, referring to its postwar policy of limiting military force to self-defense.
Pak said Japan’s submarine plans would create military imbalance and a new structure of fierce conflict in the region.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 15, 2026 4:56 pm KST

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrives at the prime minister's office on the day of a cabinet reshuffle in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 17. Reuters-Yonhap

North Korea on Thursday called Japan's push for nuclear-powered submarines a "stepping stone" toward nuclear weapons.

An international security analyst, Pak Ju-won, made the claim in an article carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"It is the true intention of the Japanese neo-militarist force to formalize the possession of nuclear-powered submarines and secure a stepping-stone to the possession of nuclear weapons in the long-run," Pak said.

Citing recent comments by Japanese officials, Pak claimed that Japan has the "sinister intention to create public opinion" in favor of writing the nuclear-related issue into its key security documents, which are due for revision by the end of the year.

Late last month, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the government was keeping open the possibility of revising its three nonnuclear principles and acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. Japan, he said, should debate nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines "without taboos."

Pak said Japan has discarded "the veil of 'exclusive defense'" referring to its postwar policy of limiting the use of military force to self-defense.

The North Korean analyst claimed these moves are "a fundamental factor that causes military imbalance and creates a new structure of fierce conflict in the region."

The situation, Pak said, vindicates North Korea's decision to bolster its defense to safeguard its sovereignty and security.

"Japan's scheme to have access to a nuclear-powered submarine, aimed at arming itself with nuclear weapons, will surely bring disaster to the archipelago."

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