Concerned about US strategic assets in dangerous waters, North Korea warns of preemptive use of nuclear weapons

North Korea on October 12 criticized the arrival of a US aircraft carrier strike group in South Korea, calling it a provocation and once again raising concerns about using nuclear weapons in self-defense.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis during a joint exercise with South Korea and Japan in waters off South Korea, September 30, 2022. (Source: AP)

With its growing nuclear arsenal, North Korea has made many statements about using those weapons as a preemptive strike, according to AP . However, North Korea is still overwhelmed by US and South Korean forces in terms of firepower. Experts say it is unlikely that the country will use nuclear weapons first, although Pyongyang will continue to upgrade these weapons and will not return to diplomatic activities and negotiations at the present time.

For North Korea, the latest nuclear threat comes a day after the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and its strike group arrived at the southeastern port of Busan to participate in joint US-South Korea-Japan naval exercises in international waters earlier this week.

South Korean defense officials said the aircraft carrier would dock in Busan for five days as part of an agreement to temporarily deploy powerful U.S. military assets in response to North Korea's growing nuclear program.

On October 13, North Korea threatened to launch a "first, quickest and most powerful strike" against US strategic assets deployed on the Korean Peninsula, reflecting Pyongyang's concerns about Washington's military capabilities in the region.

North Korea has condemned the US deployment of strategic nuclear assets as a "blatant" military provocation, warning that the strategic assets have entered extremely dangerous waters.

“The DPRK’s swiftest and most powerful first strike will target the means of ‘extended deterrence’ used by the US to create illusions among its supporters and its bases on the Korean peninsula and its vicinity,” the North’s state-run KCNA news agency said in a commentary.

North Korea has said its nuclear doctrine adopted last year allows Pyongyang to take necessary action, such as using nuclear weapons preemptively, in the event it perceives a potential nuclear attack.

Earlier, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked at Busan, southeastern South Korea, on October 12. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on October 13 that the country will begin its annual large-scale military exercise next week to strengthen its defense readiness.

The Hoguk field training exercise, involving the army, navy, air force and marines, is scheduled to last from October 16 to November 22 to strengthen joint combat capabilities.

This year’s exercise simulates a range of threats from North Korea’s nuclear weapons, missiles and unidentified hardware. Some US troops are expected to participate in the exercise to enhance interoperability.

North Korea has long denounced such joint military exercises as rehearsals for invasion. About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea to deter threats on the Korean peninsula.

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