North Korea threatens US with nuclear war over sending an Ohio-class submarine carrying Trident II intercontinental ballistic missiles to South Korea

A new week in the DPRK has begun with threats against the US. We have already written that North Korea is promising to shoot down US strategic planes. But the country is not limiting itself to that.

Here's What We Know

Another threat concerns an Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine. The submarine, equipped with 20 Trident II (D) intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, could dock in the Republic of Korea as early as the end of this month. The northern neighbour is not happy with such a development.

North Korea's central news agency reminded that there have been no US nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula since 1981. The return of the Ohio-class submarine to the Republic of Korea would bring the risk of a nuclear clash closer. A DPRK defence ministry spokesman called the US action "the most blatant nuclear espionage" and "a challenge to all peace and security in the region".

The US pledged earlier this year to send an Ohio-class submarine to South Korea. It is possible that the submarine will arrive in the country on July 27, marking the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement.

Note that the Ohio-class USS Michigan (SSGN-727) visited South Korea for the first time since 2017 in June, and it arrived in Japan a few days ago. But this sub is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles (up to 154).

Source: Yonhap