North Korea criticizes US deployment of nuclear assets in South Korea

(Patria) - North Korea's Ministry of Defense has condemned the deployment of United States nuclear strategic assets in South Korea, the state agency KCNA reported this morning, as Seoul prepared for a rare military parade to mark Armed Forces Day, Reuters reported.

Kim Kang Il, North Korea's Deputy Minister of Defense, accused Washington of conducting a
"reckless military bluff" and fueling tensions by recently sending a nuclear-powered submarine to South Korea and flying a B-1B bomber again for a planned parade.
South Korean media reported that the B-1B bomber would join the parade scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, flying over Seoul along with allied fighter jets and other aircraft.

The South Korean military and US Forces Korea have not confirmed the bomber's participation, but the Seoul Ministry of Defense stated that the parade is partly intended to showcase military power as a deterrent against North Korean attacks.

Kim said the US display of force highlighted its strategic inferiority on the Korean Peninsula compared to North Korea, as well as Seoul's "chronic nuclear phobia." He called for new measures in response.

"We can examine such new action plans at any time and implement them," he said, vowing to continue improving "strong war deterrence."

Last week, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized the presence of a US nuclear submarine in South Korea, which docked in the port city of Busan to resupply and allow crew members to rest.