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

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,

North Korea says the AUKUS deal to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines is a “threat to regional peace” and has warned of consequences as Canberra makes its first payment to the partnership.