North Korea has sharply criticized the United States’ plan to develop a futuristic “Golden Dome” missile shield, warning that the initiative could transform outer space into a potential nuclear war zone.
The defense system, slated for unveiling by the end of President Donald Trump’s term, aims to counter what the US describes as “next-generation” aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
Pyongyang’s foreign ministry issued a statement denouncing the plan as “the height of self-righteousness and arrogance,” according to state media reports. The ministry accused Washington of being “hell-bent on militarizing outer space” and cautioned that the plan could trigger “a global nuclear and space arms race.” North Korea considers the US a primary adversary and routinely condemns joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.
Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, suggested to AFP news agency that Pyongyang likely views the Golden Dome as a significant threat capable of “significantly weakening” its nuclear arsenal. He added that if the US completes the new missile defense program, North Korea would be compelled to develop alternative means to counter or penetrate it.
In 2022, North Korea formally declared itself a nuclear weapons state and has conducted numerous tests of ballistic and cruise missiles in recent years. Earlier this year, Pyongyang claimed to have successfully test-fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic warhead, asserting that it could “reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region.”
North Korea’s criticism aligns with concerns previously voiced by China. Last week, Beijing stated it was “seriously concerned” about the Golden Dome, noting its “strong offensive implications.” China’s foreign ministry asserted that the US, in pursuing a “US-first” policy, is obsessed with achieving absolute security for itself, a move that it believes compromises the security of other nations and undermines global strategic balance and stability.
While many analysts acknowledge the necessity of updating the US’s existing, limited missile defense systems, some have cautioned that the development of the Golden Dome could encounter considerable technical and political obstacles. One primary concern is the system’s substantial cost, with an initial allocation of $25 billion reportedly earmarked in a new budget bill. However, government estimates suggest that the total cost could potentially escalate to 20 times that amount over the coming decades.
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