North Korea on Thursday condemned the United States for approving a potential $125 million sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea, calling the move a threat to regional security and warning that Pyongyang would respond with force.
A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of maintaining a hostile policy toward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying the arms deal reaffirmed U.S. intentions.
“We once again clearly recognize the expression of the U.S. open attitude of being always hostile to the DPRK,” the spokesperson said in a statement carried by state media.
North Korea warned that the weapons transfer could heighten security risks on the Korean Peninsula and criticized what it described as accelerating military cooperation between the United States and its allies throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“Now that the military integration of the U.S. and its allies is being accelerated in the Asia-Pacific region, we cannot overlook the adverse effect of the U.S. sale of its weapons to the ROK [South Korea] on the regional security environment,” the spokesperson added.
Pyongyang also took issue with a separate U.S. plan to provide financial support for activities documenting human rights conditions inside North Korea and gathering intelligence about the country. The North Korean government said such efforts could destabilize its social system.
The missile deal is part of a broader U.S. push to bolster South Korea’s military capabilities, according to the North Korean statement. It noted that Washington has already provided advanced air-to-air missiles, naval helicopters, attack helicopters, and precision-guided bombs to its ally this year.
The sharp criticism comes despite U.S. President Donald Trump having recently expressed interest in holding another meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, Pyongyang has shown little enthusiasm for returning to diplomatic negotiations with Washington, and the latest dispute over U.S. military support for Seoul may further complicate any potential resumption of talks between the two countries.
