SEOUL, Nov 20 (Reuters) - North Korea on Monday denounced the United States' potential sale of advanced weapons to Japan and South Korea, calling it a dangerous act that raises tension in the region and brings a new arms race, state media reported.
Japan plans to buy 400 Tomahawk missiles from the United States, part of its biggest military build-up since World War Two.
The United States has also recently announced the approval of a possible sale of Sidewinder missiles and the Standard Missile 6 Block I to South Korea.
Pyongyang has been criticising what it called "military threats" from the United States and its allies, saying it would demonstrate "more offensive and overwhelming counteraction capabilities" in response.
On Wednesday, North Korea said it had successfully conducted static tests of "new-type high-thrust solid-fuel engines" for intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), which it said were essential for enhancing its military's strategic offensive capabilities.
Persons:
Soo, Choi, Chris Reese
Organizations:
Monday, Pentagon, U.S . State Department, United, Thomson
Locations:
SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Japan, South Korea, Pyongyang