North Korea warns of a “toughest response” to an impending joint military exercise conducted by S. Korea and US
On Friday, North Korea issued a stern warning to Seoul, cautioning that it would deliver the "strongest response" if the annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States go ahead as planned in the coming weeks.
A commentary released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has issued a warning that South Korea and the United States are set to incur significant repercussions as a result of their joint military exercises.
North Korea has issued a stern warning, stating that what it perceives as “foolish and reckless war drills” by adversary nations will result in substantial repercussions. The nation emphasized that such actions will provoke a robust and equitable response, highlighting the defensive nature of its potential countermeasures.
Pyongyang issued a warning subsequent to the announcement by South Korean and US military officials regarding the commencement of the Freedom Shield exercise. This joint military drill is set to begin on Monday, spanning 11 days. It will comprise both computer-simulated exercises and on-ground training operations.
KCNA has warned that the “Freedom Shield” exercises have been subject to what it describes as detrimental alterations, now bearing hostile characteristics. The news agency forecasts that these maneuvers will exacerbate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This comes as KCNA criticizes South Korea and the United States for persisting with their annual springtime military drills, arguing that these exercises represent an ongoing violation of North Korea’s sovereignty and pose a threat to regional stability.
The planned expansion of large-scale joint military exercises by the armed forces of Seoul and Washington, increasing from 10 in 2024 to 16 in 2025, has been met with condemnation.
North Korea has emphasized that the hostile actions of its adversaries are escalating alarmingly, marking a perilous increase in tension.
In a statement, Pyongyang warned that if the United States persists with its “military muscle-flexing,” it will have “no choice but to renew” its “strategic deterrence,” describing this counteraction as “inevitable.”
North Korea has consistently criticized the joint military exercises conducted by allied nations, alleging that these maneuvers serve as practice sessions for a potential invasion.
Kim Yo-jong, the sibling of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a sharp rebuke last week concerning the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson and various other military operations conducted by the United States. She characterized these actions as an escalation of “confrontation hysteria” orchestrated by the US and its allies.
A North Korean official has issued a warning indicating that the nation’s military intends to “renew” its strategic deterrence measures following the arrival of a United States aircraft carrier at a naval base in Busan, South Korea.
A spokesperson has claimed that the Trump administration is demonstrably showcasing its most aggressive and combative stance towards North Korea, particularly through the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the execution of joint military exercises.
