• United States has approved more than 600 million dollar in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea.
• The State Department had approved 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of 9 million dollar.
• It separately gave the green light to sell 160 anti-air AMRAAM missiles and related guidance equipment to Japan for 317 million dollar.
• The sales will support the US foreign policy and national security objectives by assisting key allies and will not alter the basic military balance in the region.