North Korea has condemned the United States’ approval of a potential $125m arms sale to South Korea, warning that it will respond strongly and immediately to what it described as hostile actions.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry made the threat on Thursday through state media KCNA, after the US State Department approved the possible sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea.
Pyongyang said the deal represented a “new threat” to its security environment and accused Washington of maintaining a hostile policy towards North Korea.
The latest warning comes as US President Donald Trump seeks to reopen contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump recently said Kim had responded to his outreach and expressed interest in holding another meeting. However, North Korea has so far shown little public willingness to resume negotiations.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson also criticised Washington for funding activities aimed at documenting the country’s human rights situation and gathering information about North Korea.
Pyongyang described the initiative as part of an effort to create instability within its social system.
The spokesperson further accused the US of increasing military support for South Korea, saying Washington had approved the sale of several weapons systems this year, including advanced air-to-air missiles, naval helicopters, attack helicopters and precision-guided bombs.
North Korea said the growing military cooperation between the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region could not be ignored.
“Now that the military integration of the U.S. and its allies is being accelerated in the Asia-Pacific region,” the spokesperson said, the country could not overlook the impact of US arms sales to South Korea on regional security.
The official warned that Pyongyang was prepared to respond to what it considers hostile actions.
North Korea will deliver a “serious, immediate and powerful response” to hostile acts across different areas, the spokesperson said.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and renewed efforts by Trump to establish direct contact with Kim.
Analysts have said Pyongyang has remained cautious about returning to negotiations with Washington, despite Trump’s renewed interest in meeting Kim.
Why this matters
The US weapons approval could further complicate Trump’s attempt to reopen diplomacy with Pyongyang. While Washington is signalling a willingness to engage Kim, the continued expansion of US-South Korea military cooperation remains a major source of tension for North Korea.
The latest development also comes as North Korea continues to strengthen its military capabilities and oppose what it regards as attempts by the US and South Korea to increase pressure on Pyongyang.
