North Korea Condemns U. S. Arms Sales in Asia, Vows Military Response

In its recent commentaries on the United States, North Korea has reacted most vehemently to the recently concluded American arms transfers to Asia especially the Apache helicopters to South Korea referring to it as a “reckless, provocative act” to the stability of the region. In return, Pyongyang threatened to increase its military strength.

What has recently appeared in the statement of the North Korean Foreign Ministry issued on Thursday is the message the United States and its subordinates – the vassal forces that plotted provocations deliberately. The ministry singled out the sale of up to 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters as well as accompanying equipment and services, worth $3. 5 billion, to South Korea.

The U. S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) proposed the sale on Monday, citing that it would improve the ability of South Korea to counter modern threats asserting its importance to regional security. The U. S. State Department has endorsed the agreement though it is subject to approval of Congress.

Washington continues to be South Korea’s strongest security partner; about 28,500 American soldiers are deployed in the country to protect against aggression from the North.

Pyongyang explained in its statement that the expansion of the U. S. arms sales in the region would only contribute to the increase of North Korea’s ‘strategic deterrence. ’ The regime cemented its stance on the necessity to maintain the military balances in response to the increasing threats which it sees in the US and its allies.

This latest provocation occurred as the US and South Korea conducted Ulchi Freedom Shield, their war games that started on the same date as the announcement of the helicopter sale. Operations to August 29 include thousands of troops and are intended to counter threats from North Korea.