US-Japan Missile Agreement Signed, Promising Joint Work on Air-to-Air Missile Production

US-Japan Missile Agreement Signed, Promising Joint Work on Air-to-Air Missile Production

Pyongyang, April 2, 2025 — North Korea's state-run media criticized a recent agreement between Japan and the United States, which, according to them, will increase security risks in the Asia-Pacific region and push Japan toward militarization.

The agreement, which involves the United States and Japan working together to produce air-to-air missiles, was signed during U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit to Tokyo last Sunday.

Through the state-run news agency KCNA, an anonymous deputy director of North Korea's Ministry of Defense stated that the agreement is clearly designed for military and offensive purposes, which is seen as a major security threat to other countries in the region.

The official said, "The improvement of such a weapons system, which is already used in military drills in the region, will add a new element of strategic instability to the Asia-Pacific region."

Additionally, the North Korean official warned about changes in the U.S. military security strategy, which is sending new signals to the East Asian region and the broader Asia-Pacific area.

During Hegseth's visit, he referred to Japan’s role as a “cornerstone” in resisting China and highlighted the importance of building resistance against Beijing’s threats in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, the North Korean official said that the country is working to enhance its military deterrence in order to address growing insecurity.