US Approves $30 Billion Military Sales to South Korea: What Does This Mean for Regional Security?

Translation result

North Korea: We Will Further Strengthen Our Strategic Deterrent

North Korea immediately protested U.S. approval to sell helicopters and other military equipment to South Korea, escalating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

On May 18 (local time), Reuters reported the U.S. State Department decided to approve a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) that would include 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, with an estimated value of 3 billion USD (approximately 4 trillion KRW). The State Department also approved an FMS for an AH-64E Apache upgrade program valued at 1.2 billion USD (approximately 1.6 trillion KRW).

The State Department said the proposed sales would support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by bolstering the capabilities of a key ally that helps promote political stability and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific. It added the package would strengthen the South Korean navy’s multi-mission helicopter operations and provide Seoul with a reliable deterrent against current and future threats.

North Korea strongly rejected the announcement and vowed additional measures to defend itself. A senior Foreign Ministry official told the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) the move was “a reckless provocation aimed at deliberately increasing regional insecurity,” and said Pyongyang would further strengthen its strategic deterrent to protect the nation’s security, interests and regional peace.