North Korea denounces the sale of American missiles to South Korea

North Korea has strongly criticized the United States' approval of a major missile sale to South Korea, arguing that the decision risks increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

According to the official North Korean news agency KCNA, Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused Washington and Seoul of continually strengthening their military cooperation despite international concerns about regional stability.

North Korean criticism follows the US State Department's approval for the sale to South Korea of ​​next-generation air-to-air missiles and related equipment, valued at nearly $300 million.

In a statement relayed by KCNA, a North Korean Foreign Ministry official described US arms exports as "war exports," accusing the United States of fueling regional tensions through its arms sales.

Pyongyang also warned that it would continue to strengthen its military capabilities in order to preserve what it considers a strategic balance in the region. North Korean authorities regularly assert that their military programs are a defensive measure against what they perceive as external threats.

For several years, North Korea has consistently criticized joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, as well as American arms sales to Seoul. The regime views these activities as potential preparation for conflict, while Washington and Seoul maintain they are strictly defensive.

This new controversy arises in a regional context already marked by persistent tensions surrounding North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Despite several attempts at dialogue in recent years, relations between the two Koreas and the United States remain particularly strained.

The announcement of this arms sale underlines once again the deep differences between Pyongyang and its US-allied neighbors on security and stability issues in the Asia-Pacific region.