- The US State Department approved a potential sale of 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles and related equipment to South Korea, valued at approximately $125 million.
- North Korea slammed Washington's approval of a new weapons sale to South Korea, warning that continued US arms supplies could have an "adverse effect" on the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
- A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson told state-run KCNA that Pyongyang considers the recurring military deals an open demonstration of US "hostility" and vowed a "serious, immediate and powerful response."
- The State Department said the sale would support US national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific and improve South Korea's capability to meet current and future threats by expanding its air defense capability, deterring aggression in the region and ensuring interoperability with US Forces.
- South Korea hosts nearly 39,000 American soldiers under a defense treaty, making it one of America's key military allies in the region.
- Pyongyang noted that the US has cleared sales of advanced weaponry to Seoul throughout the year, including naval helicopters, attack helicopters and precision-guided munitions, accusing Washington of accelerating regional military integration and stoking confrontation on the Korean Peninsula.
- The North Korean Foreign Ministry said that "Now that the military integration of the US and its allies is being accelerated in the Asia-Pacific region, we can not overlook the adverse effect of the US sale of its weapons" to South Korea on the regional security environment.
- The ministry spokesperson also criticized Washington for allocating funding to programs documenting the human rights situation in North Korea, calling it a "smear campaign" aimed at inciting internal social disruption.
North Korea has reacted strongly to the US's recent approval of a $125 million arms sale to South Korea, which includes 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The North Korean Foreign Ministry warned that such actions could have an "adverse effect" on regional security.12
The spokesperson emphasized that the ongoing military deals are perceived as a blatant demonstration of US "hostility" towards North Korea, leading to a vow of a "serious, immediate and powerful response." This statement follows the US State Department's announcement that the sale aims to bolster South Korea's air defense capabilities and enhance interoperability with US forces.34
The US has been actively supplying advanced weaponry to South Korea throughout the year, including naval and attack helicopters, which North Korea claims accelerates military integration in the region and heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "Now that the military integration of the US and its allies is being accelerated in the Asia-Pacific region, we cannot overlook the adverse effect of the US sale of its weapons" to South Korea on the regional security environment, the ministry stated.6
Additionally, the North Korean spokesperson criticized the US for funding programs that document human rights issues in North Korea, labeling it a "smear campaign" designed to incite social disruption within the country.8
“The $125 million deal covers 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, which the State Department says will improve South Korea's air defense and interoperability with US Forces. Pyongyang also accused Washington of a 'smear campaign' over human rights funding, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”
