The ministry’s director-general ⁠for external policy said in ​a statement carried by KCNA that ​military cooperation between Washington and Seoul was being “systematically strengthened” despite what it called international ​concern over rising tensions in ​and around the peninsula.

The official cited the US State ⁠Department’s approval of a nearly $300 million foreign military sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to ​South Korea ​as the ⁠latest example.

“U.S. arms exports are war exports,” the ​official said, adding that North ​Korea ⁠would continue strengthening its self-defensive deterrent to maintain the regional balance of ⁠power.

North ​Korea routinely criticises US-South ​Korea military cooperation as preparation for war.