North Korea on Thursday, Aug. 27 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, saying the move threatens security on the Korean Peninsula and warning that Pyongyang will respond strongly.
According to North Korea Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining a hostile policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"We once again and clearly recognized the expression of the U.S. open attitude to be always hostile to the DPRK," the spokesperson said.
North Korea said the deal could increase security risks in the region. It also criticized what it described as growing military cooperation between the United States and its allies across the Asia-Pacific.
"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."
Pyongyang also criticized a U.S. plan to provide financial support for activities documenting human rights conditions in North Korea and collecting information about the country. North Korea said the effort could create instability within its social system.
The North Korean government said the latest missile deal is part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen South Korea's military. It said Washington has also provided advanced air-to-air missiles, naval helicopters, attack helicopters and precision-guided bombs this year.
The sharp criticism comes as President Donald Trump has expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again.
Despite Trump's comments, North Korea has shown little interest in returning to negotiations with Washington. The latest dispute over U.S. military support for South Korea could further complicate efforts to restart talks between the two countries.
