North Korea criticised US arms sales and military support for Taiwan on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, accusing Washington of fuelling tensions in the Taiwan Strait and undermining peace and stability in the region. North Korean international affairs analyst Kim Myong Chol said in a commentary carried by the official news agency that US policy towards Taiwan was increasing regional risks.
Korean warning over a confrontation between Washington and Beijing
He warned Washington of the consequences of entering into a direct confrontation with China over the island’s security, urging it to consider how prepared it was to bear the consequences of this policy. The commentary focused on fighter jets sold by the United States to Taiwan, after the first two single-seat F-16 Block 70 aircraft arrived at Chihhang Base in Taitung on 2 October.
The two fighter jets bear the numbers 6727 and 6728 and are the first batch of 66 aircraft Taiwan bought from the United States as part of a project to modernise its air force capabilities. Taiwan’s Air Force Command said the two aircraft would undergo the planned procedures for acceptance, training and operational readiness, in preparation for their gradual entry into service.
It added that 63 aircraft of the same type were on production lines in the United States, with some having reached the delivery stage. The command said it would continue coordinating with the US project office on the scheduled dates for transferring the remaining fighter jets.
Taiwan coordinates receipt of F-16 fighter jets
Taiwan established its Seventh Tactical Fighter Wing in December 2023 and sent groups of pilots and technicians to the United States for training in operating and maintaining the new aircraft. The North Korean criticism came as Taiwan and the United States continued talks on additional arms deals.
Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on 6 October that Washington’s commitment to helping Taipei strengthen its defence capabilities had not changed, confirming that coordination between the two sides was continuing. Koo added that Taiwan had received no information about the possibility of splitting a potential US arms package worth 14 billion US dollars into smaller instalments.
The deal was put on hold after US President Donald Trump met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing in May 2026, amid China’s repeated calls for an end to US arms sales to the island. Arms sales to Taiwan are one of the main points of disagreement between Beijing and Washington.
China regards the island as part of its territory, while Taipei says its military purchases are aimed at strengthening its ability to defend itself. The United States, meanwhile, says it remains committed to helping Taiwan develop those capabilities despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between them.
