CONTEXT:

• The U.S. State Department has cleared $314 million in possible sales of air defense missiles to South Korea.
• South Korea, a key Asian ally of the United States, asked to buy up to 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems and technical assistance for a total cost of $313.9 million.
• South Korea already uses SM-2 missiles developed by Raytheon Co but is building more missile defense-capable destroyers equipped with the weapon.
• Also, the DSCA reported that separately, Japan was also cleared to buy $317 million worth of medium-range air-to-air missiles from Washington.

BACKGROUND:

• The proposed sale comes after North Korea recently criticized South Korea’s defense purchases from the United States, including the arrival of the first F-35 stealth aircraft. North Korea has boasted about its indigenous surface-to-air missiles.
• With denuclearisation talks stalled after a second summit between North Korea and the United States broke down in Hanoi in February, North Korea went ahead with more weapons tests in May month.
• North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, rather than a peace treaty.