North Korea has condemned the United States’ decision to approve the possible sale of missiles and related equipment to South Korea, warning of a “serious, immediate and powerful response” to hostile actions in various areas, according to state media KCNA.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale to Seoul of $125m worth of AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air tactical missiles and related equipment. Pyongyang said the move posed “a new threat” to its security environment.

North Korea also criticized a US plan to fund efforts to document the country’s human rights situation and gather information about it, describing the initiative as part of a campaign aimed at destabilizing its social system.

Pyongyang said Washington had approved sales of several weapons systems to South Korea this year, including advanced air-to-air missiles, naval and attack helicopters and precision-guided bombs.

The statement comes as US President Donald Trump has renewed overtures to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressing interest in another meeting. Analysts say Pyongyang has so far shown little official willingness to resume talks.

(Reuters, lud)