North Korea warns of ‘necessary countermeasures,’ condemns U.S.–South Korea fact sheet

North Korea issued a sharp warning over the recent U.S.–Korea summit fact sheet and the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) joint statement, saying it will take “justified and realistic countermeasures” to protect its sovereignty, security and regional stability. The North Korea response was released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on November 18, just four days after the two documents were announced.

In its commentary titled “Another Confrontational Declaration by the Hostile U.S.–ROK Alliance,” KCNA said the summit materials “officially and openly reaffirmed” what it called long-standing hostile intentions by South Korea and the United States. North Korea claimed the latest agreements “again formalized and institutionalized” what it sees as an adversarial policy aimed at undermining the North.

The commentary described the summit outcomes as the clearest sign yet of the Trump administration’s North Korea strategy, arguing that the reaffirmation of a commitment to the “complete denuclearization of the DPRK” reflects a direct attempt to deny its constitutional status.

KCNA said debates among analysts about Washington’s direction toward Pyongyang have now reached a conclusion. It argued that both North Korea and the broader international community now have “a clearer understanding” of the U.S. position.

The North also rejected the summit’s reference to “complete denuclearization of North Korea,” calling it an attempt to deny the country’s “identity and existence.”

The commentary strongly objected to South Korea’s approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine. KCNA said the move threatens stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the Asia-Pacific, warning it could create “a globally uncontrollable nuclear crisis.”

North Korea argued that Seoul’s pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine is a step toward “self-nuclear armament” and could trigger a “nuclear domino effect” in the region, heightening military competition.

The statement also condemned efforts to “regionalize and modernize” the U.S.–South Korea alliance, claiming the goal is to form a NATO-style security structure in Asia to contain rival states. Such actions, it said, demand “heightened vigilance” and “stronger responsible efforts” from countries facing growing instability.

North Korea said it would continue to take what it described as necessary measures in response to what it views as escalating confrontation fueled by the summit agreements and joint statements.

BY GUSEUL JANG    [jang.guseul@joongang.co.kr]