SEOUL — North Korea has sharply criticized a proposed U.S. missile defence system, warning it could turn outer space into a nuclear battleground and destabilize global security.
The futuristic project, dubbed the Golden Dome, is a sweeping upgrade to America’s air and missile defences. It is expected to be announced before the end of former President Donald Trump’s term, and aims to counter modern threats such as hypersonic missiles, cruise weapons, and potential space-based attacks.
But Pyongyang is not impressed.
In a strongly worded statement carried by state-run media, North Korea’s foreign ministry called the plan “the height of arrogance” and accused Washington of being “hell-bent on militarising outer space”. It claimed the programme could “ignite a nuclear and space arms race that no one can control.”
The rhetoric follows a pattern. North Korea routinely denounces U.S. military activity in the region, especially joint drills with South Korea. But analysts say this time, the threat feels more personal.
“North Korea likely sees the Golden Dome as a serious challenge to its nuclear deterrent,” said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, speaking to AFP. “If the system is realised, Pyongyang may accelerate efforts to develop weapons that can bypass or overwhelm it.”
In 2022, North Korea passed a law officially declaring itself a nuclear weapons state. Since then, it has conducted a flurry of missile tests, including claims earlier this year that it had fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile fitted with a hypersonic warhead.
China Joins the Chorus of Dissent
North Korea is not alone in its concerns.
China has also voiced strong objections to the U.S. plan. Last week, Beijing’s foreign ministry said it was “seriously concerned” about the project’s “offensive nature”, warning it could tip the delicate global strategic balance.
“By seeking absolute security for itself, the U.S. undermines the security of others,” said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. “This violates the principle of shared global safety.”
The Golden Dome which remains in early planning stages is seen by its backers as a necessary response to evolving threats from adversaries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. The idea is to create a layered defence that extends into space, building on current systems such as THAAD and Patriot batteries.
However, questions remain about its feasibility and its price.
Sky-High Costs, Uncertain Results
The U.S. Congress has already allocated $25 billion (£19.7 billion) as a starting point. But some estimates suggest the system could eventually cost twenty times more, depending on its complexity and lifespan.
“This is not just a technical challenge it’s a political one,” said Laura Grego, a space security expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists. “You’re talking about a new kind of arms race, with massive budget implications and very uncertain gains.”
Critics argue that space-based defences are vulnerable to sabotage and escalation. Any attempt to neutralise an opponent’s satellite or intercept a warhead from orbit could provoke retaliation.
“Putting weapons in space invites disaster,” Grego added. “There are no clear rules up there. It’s a recipe for misunderstanding.”
A Cold War Echo in a New Age
The debate over missile defense is hardly new. During the Reagan era, the U.S. pursued a similar initiative the Strategic Defense Initiative, mockingly called “Star Wars” that was eventually scaled back due to cost and technical roadblocks.
But with new technologies and rising geopolitical tensions, some in Washington believe now is the time to try again.
For North Korea and China, though, the message is clear: this isn’t defense it’s provocation.
And in an era where conflicts are increasingly fought with satellites and silent code, the battle for control of space may no longer be the stuff of science fiction.
