Seoul: South Korea’s presidential Blue House emphasized on Tuesday that the country harbors no hostile intentions towards North Korea, following North Korea’s disapproval of the recently released joint fact sheet concerning the trade and security agreement between South Korea and the United States. North Korea had criticized the document, suggesting it reflected a confrontational policy against them.

According to Thai News Agency, North Korea expressed its discontent through an official commentary by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), highlighting concerns about the US’s approval for South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines. North Korea warned that such developments could trigger a “nuclear domino effect” within the region.

Yonhap News Agency reported that Kang Yu-jong, a spokeswoman for the presidential Blue House, reassured the press that South Korea remains committed to easing inter-Korean tensions and fostering mutual trust. She clarified that South Korea does not intend to adopt a hostile or confrontational posture towards North Korea, countering the accusations made by KCNA.

The spokeswoman also stated that South Korea’s security collaboration with the United States is intended to safeguard national interests and enhance national defense. She asserted that the South Korean government will persist in its efforts to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance promotes peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region.

In its commentary, North Korea continued to question the US’s formal approval of South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, as well as the alliance’s dedication to achieving North Korea’s denuclearization.

This reaction marks North Korea’s first response to a document issued by Seoul and Washington on Friday, which detailed the outcomes of two summits between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and President Donald Trump held in August and October.

North Korea’s cautionary stance comes amidst its silence on Trump’s repeated propositions to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to rejuvenate stalled diplomatic efforts. Kim has indicated North Korea’s willingness to engage in talks with the United States, provided Washington does not insist on North Korea’s denuclearization as a precondition for dialogue.