On Friday, North Korea condemned the sale of American weapons in Asia, labeling the recent deal between South Korea and the U.S. for Apache helicopters as a “reckless and provocative move.”

In a statement, North Korea’s foreign ministry expressed firm disapproval of the U.S. arms deal with South Korea, criticizing it as an intentional act to heighten security instability in the region. Pyongyang also took issue with recent U.S. arms sales to other Asia-Pacific nations, including Japan.

The U.S. revealed on Monday its plan to sell South Korea 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters and associated military gear, including missiles, for $3.5 billion. According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), these sales are intended to bolster South Korea’s ability to handle current and future threats, thwart enemy attacks, and engage in regional operations.

On the same day, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification accused North Korea of threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The ministry highlighted Pyongyang’s ongoing illegal nuclear and missile programs and its portrayal of inter-Korean relations as those between “two enemy countries.”

South Korea is carefully monitoring and assessing North Korea’s activities, as stated by the ministry’s deputy spokesperson, Kim In-ae. Washington remains a crucial security ally for Seoul, with approximately 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

The announcement of the helicopter sale coincided with the start of major annual joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul, aimed at addressing threats from North Korea.