Synopsis
North Korea has condemned the United States for increasing arms support to allies, claiming that such efforts will not alleviate South Korea's strategic deficiencies. The North asserts that the US's military assistance only serves to reinforce its hegemonic influence in the region.Key Takeaways
- North Korea criticizes US arms support.
- Claims South Korea remains strategically deficient.
- US arms sales aimed at reinforcing hegemony.
- Military cooperation with South Korea denounced.
- North pledges strong counteraction against US.
Seoul, Feb 2 (NationPress) North Korea on Sunday accused the United States of escalating weapons support to its allies in what it termed an effort to reinforce its hegemonic position, asserting that such military provisions are still inadequate to "save" South Korea from its strategic shortcomings.
The North's state media voiced this allegation following the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency's recent announcement regarding proposed arms sales to South Korea, which will include BQM-177A subsonic sea-skimming aerial targets for Aegis-equipped destroyers and GQM-163 target drones, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
"The US, the world's leading arms dealer, is becoming increasingly agitated regarding its weapons sales strategy to nations aligned with it," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated in a commentary, highlighting that such sales to South Korea are growing more persistent.
The KCNA asserted that these arms deliveries to South Korea indicate the US' intention to disrupt the regional balance of power and reinforce its hegemonic influence.
"No amount of US arms assistance can lift South Korea from its fate of strategic deficiency... the US will not be able to fulfill its ambitions due to our righteous strength," it declared.
This commentary came amid the North's long-standing condemnation of military collaboration between South Korea and the US, characterizing joint military exercises as rehearsals for invasions while using them as a justification for provocations.
Last week, Pyongyang pledged to sustain "the toughest counteraction" against the US as long as it disregards the country's sovereignty and security interests.
