(MENAFN) North Korea has condemned a newly forged pact between Washington and Seoul permitting South Korea to construct nuclear-powered attack submarines, characterizing the agreement as a "declaration of confrontation."

A North Korean news agency issued a scathing statement Tuesday, asserting that Washington's approval for Seoul to acquire nuclear submarine capabilities—along with authorization for uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing—exposes dangerous strategic maneuvering.

"The fact that the US, ignoring the danger of a global nuclear arms race that would result from nuclear proliferation to non-nuclear states, approved South Korea's possession of nuclear submarines and then permitted uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing, thereby laying the foundation for North Korea to rise to the status of a 'quasi-nuclear power,' clearly demonstrates the US's dangerous confrontational tactics," the news agency declared.

Pyongyang's state media pointed to a joint fact sheet issued by the White House after last month's summit between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, labeling it as renewed hostility toward North Korea. Tuesday's statement represents Pyongyang's first official response to the agreement unveiled by both capitals Friday.

The news agency argued the framework document proves both governments are embracing "open confrontation" against North Korea.

Responding to Pyongyang's criticism, South Korea presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung rejected claims of aggression.

"We will continue to work consistently toward easing inter-Korean tensions and rebuilding trust," a South Korean quoted Kang as saying.

Kang emphasized Seoul harbors no "hostile" intentions toward its northern neighbor.

During last month's Seoul visit, Trump announced his administration would transfer nuclear propulsion technology to South Korea, enabling its naval forces to develop at least one nuclear-powered submarine.

South Korea's Defense Ministry subsequently revealed plans to deploy a domestically-built nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-to-late 2030s.

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