Pyongyang has strongly denounced the recent agreement between the United States and Japan to co-produce air-to-air missiles, claiming it increases regional security risks and signals Washington’s intent to militarize Japan. The criticism comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Tokyo on March 30, 2025, where he and his Japanese counterpart finalized plans for enhanced military cooperation.
A senior official from North Korea’s defense ministry, as reported by the state-run KCNA news agency, expressed concerns that the U.S.-Japan collaboration is a direct threat to regional stability. The official pointed out that the agreement to accelerate co-production of AIM-120 air-to-air missiles reflects clear military and aggressive intentions. These missiles, often used in military drills, are seen by Pyongyang as a move that escalates strategic instability in the Asia-Pacific region.
North Korea has consistently opposed U.S. military alliances and actions in the region. In November 2024, leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to expand the country’s nuclear forces, citing the increasing security threats posed by U.S. military strategies involving South Korea and Japan. He has repeatedly accused the U.S. of leading a regional military buildup, arguing that such moves push North Korea to strengthen its nuclear deterrence.
In December 2024, Kim ordered his military leadership to adopt the "toughest anti-U.S. counteraction" policy, alleging that Washington, along with Seoul and Tokyo, was forming a military bloc aimed at weakening North Korea’s defense capabilities. These statements came at a time when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump indicated a willingness to renew diplomatic efforts with North Korea. However, given the current geopolitical climate, the prospects of any meaningful dialogue remain uncertain.
The missile co-production agreement is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. and Japan to reinforce regional security, particularly as concerns grow over China’s expanding military influence. During Hegseth’s visit, both nations agreed not only to accelerate the production of air-to-air missiles but also to explore joint efforts in surface-to-air missile development. Japan’s increasing role in the regional security framework highlights its evolving defense policy amid rising tensions with neighboring states.
North Korea views these developments as part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen Japan’s military capabilities and shift the security balance in the Asia-Pacific. Pyongyang has warned that such actions will only intensify regional instability, further complicating diplomatic efforts and security dynamics in Northeast Asia.
As tensions continue to mount, the international community remains watchful of the potential consequences these military collaborations may have on the fragile security landscape of the region.