North Korea has accused NATO of increasing preparations for future military conflicts, arguing that the alliance’s plans to expand its military fuel supply network show a shift towards a more aggressive role.
The claims were made in a commentary published on Saturday by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Pyongyang criticised reported plans to expand and modernise NATO’s military fuel infrastructure across Europe, including pipelines and fuel storage facilities connecting western Europe with newer member states in eastern and northern Europe.
According to the North Korean commentary, the planned infrastructure is intended to strengthen NATO’s strategic fuel reserves and improve its ability to support military operations. Pyongyang also alleged that the alliance is preparing for potential conflicts beyond Europe, including in the Asia-Pacific region.
In recent years, NATO, which has talked about the inseparability of the security in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, is more frequently introducing strategic assets of its member states into the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating its military existence, and frequently staging adventurous muscle flexing in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula in collusion with the countries hostile towards the DPRK, KCNA claimed.
North Korea links NATO exercises to Asia-Pacific
Pyongyang also criticised NATO members for taking part in multinational military exercises, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) drills.
North Korean state media argued that the participation of NATO members in exercises in the Pacific indicated that the alliance increasingly regards the region as a potential area for military confrontation.
The commentary further claimed that NATO’s military expansion and improvements to its logistical infrastructure were designed to allow the alliance to deploy forces more rapidly and support operations in different parts of the world.
North Korea warned that such developments could contribute to increased international tensions and further military confrontation.
NATO has consistently described its military posture as defensive, saying its activities are intended to deter potential threats and protect the collective security of its member states.
