North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'space nuclear war'

North Korea has criticised the US's plan for a futuristic "Golden Dome" missile shield, saying it could "turn outer space into a potential nuclear war field".

The defence system, which President Donald Trump plans to unveil by the end of his term, is aimed at countering "next-generation" aerial threats to the US, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

Pyongyang's foreign ministry slammed the plan as "the height of self-righteousness [and] arrogance", state media reported.

It accused Washington of being "hell-bent... to militarise outer space" and warned that the plan might spark "a global nuclear and space arms race".

North Korea considers Washington an adversary and has routinely condemned joint military drills between the US and South Korea.

Pyongyang probably sees the Golden Dome as a threat that can "significantly weaken" its nuclear arsenal, Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP news agency.