Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula may be heading for a dead end. On Tuesday, North Korea condemned a new submarine deal between Seoul and Washington, warning of a “nuclear domino” effect. This row appears to have blocked any progress on South Korea’s recent proposal for military talks.
The deal was finalized last week by President Lee Jae Myung. It grants South Korea expanded authority over uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing. North Korea described the move as a “dangerous attempt at confrontation,” predicting it would spark a “hot arms race.”
The dead end looms despite President Lee’s best efforts. Just one day prior, he proposed military talks to prevent border clashes, the first offer in seven years. Lee has offered unconditional discussions, but the North seems unwilling to move forward.
The “nuclear domino” warning suggests that the North sees no path to agreement. Pyongyang is arguing that the submarine deal makes diplomacy futile. This narrative reinforces the stalemate.
North Korea has not yet responded to the proposal for talks. The focus on the row suggests that the diplomatic road is closed for now. The region waits for a detour.