North Korea Denounces US Missiles Sales to Japan, South Korea

Facts

• North Korea denounced the US's possible missile sale to Japan and South Korea on Monday, stating that such an action would escalate tensions in the region and could possibly trigger an arms race.¹
• The defense ministry stated that North Korea intends step up its efforts to deter any possible instability in the region caused by the US and its allies, the official news agency KCNA reported.¹
• North Korea’s announcement also warned that “the more the United States profits” from these types of arms deals, the more it will “have to pay for the security crisis.”²
• The Pentagon last week confirmed that the US State Department has approved the sale of 400 Tomahawk missiles to Japan for approximately $2.35B.³
• The US also reportedly plans to sell Sidewinder missiles and the Standard Missile 6 Block to South Korea.³
• Also on Monday, South Korea’s military warned North Korea to ditch a planned spy satellite launch or risk Seoul ending the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement and resuming front-line aerial surveillance.⁴

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²CNA, ³Benzinga and ⁴Associated Press.

Narratives

• Anti-North Korea Narrative, as provided by The Japan Times. If North Korea wants to talk about destabilization of the region, it should look in the mirror. Aside from the scheduled satellite launch, North Korea keeps tightening relations with China and, despite the war in Ukraine, Pyongyang is now cozying up to Russia. Japan and South Korea have been left with no choice but to strengthen their deterrence capabilities.
• Pro-North Korea narrative, as provided by KCNA Watch. Once more, the US is posing a threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Despite the Biden administration's claims, this sale will unsettle the military balance in the region. Beyond self-defense, the US's unilateral weapons buildup will undoubtedly spur other nations to strengthen their military forces as well, raising the possibility of a deadly arms race.

Predictions