Seoul – North Korea announced on Monday its intentions to strengthen its "war deterrence" capabilities, citing increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to the United States' planned arms sales to South Korea and Japan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Last week, the U.S. disclosed potential sales of AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, Standard Missile-6 shipborne missile interceptors, and related equipment in a foreign military sale to South Korea. Additionally, Washington recently approved the potential sale of 400 Tomahawk missiles and related equipment to Japan.
An official from North Korea's defense ministry, in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, warned of the consequences of the U.S.'s arms sales. The official stated, "The more the U.S. earns from indiscriminate arms sales, the higher the price it would have to pay for a security crisis."
This statement comes amid expectations that North Korea may soon attempt its third launch of a military spy satellite. The South Korean military has urged North Korea to halt its satellite launch preparations, warning of "necessary measures" if the launch proceeds.
Defense Minister Shin Won-sik of South Korea indicated that North Korea's satellite launch could occur before South Korea's scheduled launch of its first indigenous reconnaissance satellite on November 30.