North Korea has strongly criticized the recent joint military drills conducted by the United States and South Korea, labeling them a “planned and provocative nuclear war rehearsal.” The North Korean government warned that it would continue to enhance its military capabilities to counter any perceived threats, with the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoting the Disarmament and Peace Institute of North Korea’s Foreign Ministry condemning the exercises.
These joint drills, called the ‘Freedom Shield exercise,’ concluded on Thursday after an 11-day operation. North Korea described the nature of this year’s drills as the “most aggressive and offensive” in history, claiming they represented a significant threat. Pyongyang also issued statements earlier in March condemning these military activities, warning that both Washington and Seoul would face a “horrible” price for what it deemed a “dangerous provocative act.”
In early March, North Korea fired unidentified ballistic missiles in response to the ongoing drills, continuing its pattern of missile launches. Additionally, Pyongyang demonstrated the capabilities of its nuclear deterrence earlier this year, launching strategic cruise missiles from its west coast, with leader Kim Jong-un stressing the importance of war preparedness, including the readiness of nuclear forces.
North Korea’s continued military actions have drawn international concern, with the United Nations Security Council imposing multiple resolutions and sanctions against the country over its nuclear and missile programs. These sanctions have been in place since 2006.
On March 22, Yonhap reported that Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang. Both sides discussed various security concerns and confirmed their alignment on key regional and global issues.
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