North Korea has condemned the US's initiative for an advanced "Golden Dome" missile defense system, arguing that it could "transform outer space into a possible nuclear battleground."
The defense system, which President Donald Trump intends to reveal before the conclusion of his presidency, is designed to address "next-generation" aerial threats to the US, including both ballistic and cruise missiles.
Pyongyang's foreign ministry criticized the proposal as "the pinnacle of self-righteousness and arrogance," according to state media outlets.
It accused Washington of being "determined... to militarize outer space" and cautioned that the initiative might trigger "a worldwide nuclear and space arms race."
North Korea views Washington as an adversary and frequently denounces joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea.
Pyongyang likely perceives the Golden Dome as a threat that could "significantly diminish" its nuclear capabilities, as noted by Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, who spoke to the AFP news agency.
"If the US finalizes its new missile defense program, North Korea will have to devise alternative methods to counter or bypass it," he stated.
In 2022, North Korea enacted legislation that declared it a nuclear weapons state, and it has conducted tests of various ballistic and cruise missiles in recent years.
Earlier this year, it claimed to have launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile featuring a hypersonic warhead, declaring that it "will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region."
North Korea aligns with China in criticizing the US’s initiative. Last week, Beijing expressed "serious concern" regarding the Golden Dome, asserting it has "strong offensive implications."
"The United States, in its pursuit of a 'US-first' policy, is fixated on achieving absolute security for itself," stated China's foreign ministry. "This undermines the principle that the security of all nations should not be compromised and jeopardizes global strategic equilibrium and stability."
Many experts believe that an upgrade to the US's limited defense systems is essential, yet some caution that the process of developing the Golden Dome could encounter technical and political obstacles.
For instance, its substantial cost could absorb a significant portion of the US defense budget.
An initial allocation of $25bn (£18.7bn) has been set aside in a new budget bill—although projections suggest it might ultimately cost up to 20 times that amount over the coming decades.
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