(LEAD) N. Korea criticizes Trump’s easing of U.S. weapons exports

(ATTN: UPDATES with English-language statement throughout)

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) — North Korea on Sunday denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent easing of domestic weapons export regulations, calling it a move aimed to “expand wars.”

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued the criticism, citing Trump’s April 9 executive order that mandates a review of rules governing U.S. military equipment exports, aimed at facilitating easier overseas sales of defense products.

“For the United States, arms sale is not only merely a money-making space to meet monetary desire but also a major means of supporting the realization of aggressive foreign policy, the hegemony-seeking one,” the KCNA claimed.

The North cited the outbreaks of war in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, accusing Washington of supplying war equipment to its followers since the conflicts began.

It argued that U.S. arms sales have surged in recent years, with most exported military equipment flowing into the hands of “war maniacs” in Europe and the Middle East.

“The U.S. measure to ease arms export regulations precisely means the one to expand wars,” the state media outlet said.

The KCNA accused the U.S. of further prolonging and expanding wars while pretending to broker talks and negotiations, adding that the consequences are evident when U.S. lethal means are transferred to “proxy” war forces.