North Korea warns of “arms race” in France-Australia submarine dispute

State media quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying: “These are extremely unwanted and dangerous acts that will upset the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region and set off a chain of nuclear arms race.”

What caused the dispute between France and Australia?

Last week, France recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia, after a decision by Canberra to buy nuclear submarines from the United States.

US President Joe Biden announced an alliance involving Australia and Britain, which would involve the purchase of nuclear-powered submarines from the United States.

The decision sank a multibillion-dollar deal between Australia and France. Under the agreement, French defense contractor Naval Group would build 12 submarines.

The blind side led to the angry diplomatic response from Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Biden are expected to discuss the matter in the coming days.

Continuing tension on the Korean peninsula

The deteriorated relationship between Western allies comes amid a number of missile tests by Korean neighbors.

North Korea tested two ballistic missiles last week. Days earlier, state media reported the successful launch of a new long-range cruise missile capable of hitting targets 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) away.

South Korea has successfully fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

The North didn’t seem too impressed with Seoul’s technological advancements.

Pyongyang Defense Science Agency chief Jang Chang Ha called the effort “awkward work,” adding that “the local SLBM exposed by South Korea will not be able to serve as an effective means of attack in time. of war”.

Although Jang said the Southern SLBM test was rudimentary, it showed a level of intent.

“The enthusiastic efforts of the South to improve underwater weapon systems clearly portend an intensification of military tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” Jang said.