North Korea slams US arms deal with South Korea amid rising tensions

We strongly oppose and do not accept the increase in armament by the USA. It is a reckless, provocative act - the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Friday the approval by the United States of a potential sale of Apache attack helicopters to South Korea.

The US State Department approved the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters to South Korea on Monday. The deal also includes logistical support, ammunition, and spare parts, totaling approximately $3.5 billion.

We strongly oppose and reject the US and its vassal forces' arms buildup, it was written in a statement by the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted by the official news agency of Pyongyang, KCNA.

"This is a reckless provocative act of deliberately increasing the security instability in the region," it added.

The dispatch noted that the US decision coincides with rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to the ongoing joint Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between the South and the United States, which will last until August 29.

The United States is becoming increasingly active in selling arms to Japan, North Korea, and other allies in the Asia and Pacific region, which poses a challenge to security in the region - KCNA reported.

The authorities in Pyongyang also assessed that the US arms sales to countries in the Pacific region would force "further strengthening of strategic deterrence" from North Korea.

"The prevailing situation urgently calls for thoroughly ensuring the military balance in the region by increasing the defence capabilities in every way in direct proportion to security challenges and threats that may result from the US arms sales," it was written in the statement.

Washington is a key security ally of Seoul. Approximately 28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea.