World · Malaysia Bureau
North Korea warns of response after US arms deal with Seoul
The United States has approved a US$125 million weapons package for South Korea, including advanced air-to-air missiles, drawing a sharp rebuke from Pyongyang. North Korea has pledged a strong response to the military support for its southern neighbour.
LSN Malaysia ·
The US State Department has greenlit the sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles and associated equipment to South Korea, marking the latest in a series of military assistance packages to the Seoul government. The transaction is valued at approximately US$125 million and includes technical support and spare parts for the advanced air-to-air systems.
The weapons sale underscores Washington's continued commitment to bolstering South Korea's defence capabilities amid persistent tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The Sidewinder missiles represent among the most sophisticated air-to-air systems in the US arsenal, designed to enhance aerial combat effectiveness against modern fighter aircraft.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry responded swiftly to the announcement, condemning the arms transfer as a provocative escalation and warning of a proportional military response. Pyongyang has repeatedly objected to US military aid to the South, characterising such moves as destabilising and threatening to regional security.
The sale follows a pattern of regular military cooperation between Washington and Seoul, which maintains one of the world's largest standing militaries and faces an estimated 1.2 million North Korean troops deployed along their shared border. South Korean defence officials have prioritised acquiring advanced weapon systems to counter perceived military threats from the North.