**North Korea Criticizes US 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense as Threat to Peace**

**North Korea expressed vehement opposition to the US plan for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, arguing that it poses a significant threat to global stability. Both North Korea and China have criticized the initiative, emphasizing concerns about militarization in outer space.**

North Korea has condemned the United States' plan for a futuristic missile defense system called the "Golden Dome," warning that it poses risks of turning outer space into a battlefield for nuclear conflict. The initiative, touted by President Donald Trump, aims to defend against emerging aerial threats, including missiles.

The North Korean foreign ministry lambasted the project, characterizing it as an act of "self-righteousness and arrogance." State media reported that Pyongyang views the United States as aggressively pursuing militarization of outer space, potentially igniting a global arms race. Analysts suggest that the North perceives the Golden Dome as a direct threat, capable of undermining its nuclear capabilities.

According to Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, if the US successfully implements its missile defense program, North Korea may feel compelled to develop alternate strategies to maintain its deterrence. In previous declarations, North Korea has asserted its status as a nuclear weapons state, having tested various missiles, including a hypersonic warhead last year intended to reinforce its strategic posturing in the Pacific.

China has also voiced concerns regarding the Golden Dome, with its foreign ministry describing the US's approach as one that favors absolute security for itself while compromising the security of other nations. It has expressed alarm about the offensive implications of the proposed defense system and the impact it may have on global strategic dynamics.

While many experts assert that modernizing US missile defense systems is necessary, they caution that the Golden Dome's development may encounter significant technical and political hurdles. The project's estimated costs are already substantial, with an initial allocation of $25 billion set aside; however, projections suggest the overall expenditure could escalate to 20 times that amount over the decades.

The escalating tension between North Korea and the US, along with China's involvement, highlights a complex geopolitical landscape where missile defense systems intersect with broader security considerations on a global scale.