North Korea’s top officials are firing back at the upcoming military drills planned by the US, South Korea, and Japan. They call these exercises a direct threat and warn of strong retaliation if they go ahead.
The drills kick off on Monday in Seoul. There’s Freedom Edge, a big joint outdoor exercise involving all three countries across land, sea, and air. Then there’s Iron Mace, a simulation drill with the US focused on responding to a nuclear attack. North Korea’s state media, the Korean Central News Agency, broke the news on Sunday.
Kim Yo Jong, a key figure in North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, slammed the drills hard. She described the US and South Korea’s “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula” as a risky plot against her country. “This is a clear sign of their anti-North Korea stance and a continuation of their hostile policies,” she said. Kim added that the three nations’ show of force right near North Korea’s borders will backfire on them badly.
Another big voice, Pak Jong Chon from the party’s Central Military Commission, didn’t hold back either. He labeled Iron Mace a full-blown “nuclear war rehearsal” designed to attack North Korea with nukes from start to finish. As for Freedom Edge, he called it the most aggressive war drill yet in terms of size, setup, and intent. These moves, he said, seriously threaten North Korea’s security and could spark more tension across the region.
Pak made it clear: If the US, South Korea, and Japan keep flexing their muscles, North Korea will hit back “in a very clear and intensified way.” This comes amid rising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea sees these drills as rehearsals for invasion.
It’s worth noting North Korea’s firm stance on its nuclear program. After a failed 2019 summit with the US over denuclearization, leader Kim Jong Un declared the country an “irreversible” nuclear power. Things have heated up lately, with North Korea sending thousands of troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. In return, they’ve gained key backing from Moscow. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and signed a mutual defense pact, strengthening ties between the two nations.
As these drills unfold, all eyes are on how North Korea responds to what it views as a major provocation.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
