North Korea Slams US-Japan Missile Pact as Regional Threat

North Korea has strongly condemned a recent agreement between the United States and Japan to co-produce air-to-air missiles, calling it a serious threat to regional stability. According to North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency, the deal signals Washington’s ongoing efforts to militarize Japan and escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific.

The criticism follows U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Tokyo on Sunday, where he and Japanese officials agreed to accelerate the joint production of the AIM-120 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The missile is widely used in military aircraft engaged in regular drills across the region—activities North Korea already views as provocative.

An unnamed senior official from North Korea’s Defence Ministry warned that the move adds “a new element of strategic instability” to the region. While the statement did not specifically name any countries, it clearly pointed to rising tensions involving China and North Korea. The official also argued that the U.S. has long encouraged Japan’s remilitarization, referring to broader U.S. military strategies aimed at countering regional rivals.

Hegseth highlighted Japan’s crucial role in deterring China, particularly around the Taiwan Strait, calling the U.S.-Japan alliance a “cornerstone” of regional security. This stance contrasts with previous criticisms of Japan by U.S. leaders for not contributing enough to the American military presence.

In response, North Korea vowed to strengthen its own military deterrence to address what it sees as growing instability. The statement underscores Pyongyang’s view that enhanced U.S.-Japan defense ties are a direct threat to its national security and a signal of shifting military dynamics in Northeast Asia.

The missile pact is the latest development in a rapidly evolving security landscape, where regional powers are aligning amid rising geopolitical tensions.