North Korea threatens to destroy South Korean F-35 fighter jets

F-35 fighter jet. Photo: AFP

North Korea's state news agency (KCNA) on July 11 quoted a director of policy research at the Institute for American Studies under the North Korean Foreign Ministry as criticizing the South Korean government for purchasing more weapons from the US, while still "talking loudly about reconciliation and cooperation" between Seoul and Pyongyang.

“There is no doubt that the purchase of F-35A jets, which are called stealth lethal weapons, is aimed at securing (South Korea’s) military supremacy over its regional neighbors, especially opening the door to invading the north in case of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula,” KCNA reported.

“For our part, we have no choice but to develop and test special weapons to completely destroy the lethal weapons being reinforced in South Korea,” the North Korean researcher stressed.

North Korea has criticized South Korea's purchase of advanced military weapons from the United States as an "extremely dangerous act" that could "lead to retaliation" from Pyongyang.

“The South Korean authorities had better reconsider before it is too late and give up the absurd illusion of a chance to improve inter-Korean relations if they follow the US lead,” KCNA stressed.

South Korea received its first two F-35 fighter jets from the US in March. The next aircraft are expected to be delivered this year, with the last expected before 2021.

South Korea has ordered a total of 40 advanced F-35 fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a 7.4 trillion won ($6.5 billion) contract signed by the US and South Korea in 2014.

North Korea's statement comes amid a slowdown in inter-Korean relations, with few signs of improvement.