North Korea has condemned the "arrogance" of the United States and vowed to "counter enemy strategic threats with our own strategic means." Pyongyang made this statement on Friday as the regime continues to criticize the close cooperation between Washington and Seoul.

North Korean state media on Thursday criticized the United States for a nuclear submarine deal with Australia under the AUKUS partnership signed in 2021, calling it a "threat to regional peace." A commentary carried by KCNA said Washington should be wary of consequences for what it said were nuclear alliances,

Australia this month made an initial $500 million payment toward its purchase of U.S.-made nuclear submarines.