A $300 Million U.S. Missile Deal for Seoul Sparks North Korean Anger
A U.S. missile deal with South Korea has triggered strong criticism from Pyongyang, which considers the move likely to further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the United States’ approval of the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea, warning that the decision would intensify tensions across the Korean Peninsula.
The agency quoted the ministry’s Director General for Foreign Policy as saying in a statement that military cooperation between Washington and Seoul is being “systematically strengthened,” despite what he described as growing international concern over rising tensions on and around the Korean Peninsula.
The official pointed to the U.S. State Department’s approval of the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and associated equipment to South Korea, valued at approximately $300 million, as the latest example of this trend.
He argued that “American arms exports are exports of war,” adding that North Korea would continue to strengthen its self-defensive deterrence capabilities in order to maintain the regional balance of power.
North Korea has consistently criticized military cooperation between the United States and South Korea, portraying it as preparation for war.
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense stated that U.S. and South Korean officials met in Seoul last Thursday to discuss ways of enhancing nuclear deterrence and military readiness in response to North Korea’s expanding weapons program. The talks were held within the framework of the Nuclear Consultative Group established between the two allies.
The meeting took place amid growing concerns over North Korea’s increasing capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear materials, following the release of state media footage showing leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a newly operational nuclear-material production facility. He also called for a “massive” expansion of the country’s nuclear forces.
