North Korea Threatens ‘Powerful Response’ to US Arms Deal with South Korea

North Korea Threatens ‘Powerful Response’ to US Arms Deal with South Korea

North Korea has threatened a “serious, immediate and powerful response” to US plans to supply South Korea with advanced missiles, accusing Washington of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The US State Department approved the possible $125 million sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles and related equipment to South Korea. Pyongyang said the deal could have a negative impact on regional security.

North Korea also condemned US plans to fund programmes documenting alleged human rights abuses inside the country and increasing the flow of outside information into North Korea.

Pyongyang described the measures as a series of hostile actions aimed at creating instability within the country and warned that it would respond strongly.

The latest threat comes as US President Donald Trump has attempted to reopen dialogue with North Korea, including reducing joint military exercises with South Korea. Pyongyang has so far shown little interest in the overtures.

The two Koreas technically remain at war because the 1950–53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.