US Golden Dome provokes nuclear conflict: DPRK
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DPRK calls the US Golden Dome a space war threat, warning of retaliation against what it describes as an offensive, not defensive, missile initiative.
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US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on May 20, 2025. (AP/Alex Brandon)
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has sharply condemned the United States’ newly unveiled Golden Dome missile defense system, accusing Washington of igniting an arms race in outer space under the guise of defense. The remarks were published on Tuesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), citing a memorandum issued by the DPRK’s Institute for American Studies under the Foreign Ministry.
According to the statement, the Golden Dome represents “a dangerous, threatening initiative” designed to destabilize adversaries, not protect against them. The DPRK claims the system, promoted as a high-level integrated shield, is "constructed for offensive use" and aims to tilt the nuclear balance in Washington’s favor.
The condemnation follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on May 20 of the Golden Dome, a $175 billion project intended to create a land, sea, and space-based missile shield operational by 2029. Touted as a transformative step in national security, the system is framed by Washington as a safeguard against emerging missile threats.
However, the DPRK asserts the true aim is to dominate space militarily, while the KCNA report describes Golden Dome as a precursor to nuclear confrontation in space, with Pyongyang warning that such moves force other states to pursue "a symmetrical build-up of superior forces" in response.
'The militarization of space must be resisted'
The Institute for American Studies characterized the initiative not as a strategic necessity but as a calculated provocation aimed at countries opposing US geopolitical dominance, warning that by extending missile infrastructure into orbit, Washington risks dragging the world into a new dimension of nuclear escalation.
The DPRK has long criticized the militarization of space, and Tuesday’s statement reflects growing alarm over what Pyongyang sees as US efforts to circumvent existing arms control frameworks by expanding weapons architecture beyond terrestrial limits.
As of Tuesday, no official response from Washington has been issued addressing the DPRK’s accusations.
The KCNA warning adds to a growing list of international concerns about the strategic implications of the Golden Dome project, particularly as tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
BREAKING: President Trump announces the 'Golden Dome,' a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect the homeland. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Bzn16OzJzP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 20, 2025
The $175 billion Golden Dome missile shield
The Golden Dome is a newly announced US missile defense initiative, representing a strategic shift in Washington’s approach to global and space-based threats. Valued at $175 billion, the project aims to integrate land, sea, and space-based systems capable of intercepting missiles launched from virtually any location, including outer space.
Last Wednesday, Trump announced the initiative will be overseen by US Space Force General Michael Guetlein, with an initial $25 billion in funding already allocated. While the system’s name evokes "Israel’s" Iron Dome, its scope is far broader, targeting threats from intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, drones, and nuclear cruise missiles.
The plan has sparked strong condemnation from Russia and China, both of which warn it risks militarizing space and destabilizing the global security balance. Canada has expressed interest in participating, though domestic and international critics argue the project could ignite a new arms race.
