North Korea has threatened a “tit-for-tat” response to joint military exercises involving South Korea, the United States and Japan, accusing the countries of threatening regional stability….reports Asian Lite News Desk
North Korea has threatened a “tit-for-tat” response to ongoing military exercises involving South Korea, the United States and Japan, accusing the countries of threatening its security and regional stability. Pyongyang warned that it would strengthen its military deterrence in response to what it described as provocative actions by its adversaries.
In an English-language commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday, North Korea criticised the joint exercises, describing them as military “muscle flexing” by “enemy states”.
Also Read: US Targets Central Asia in Critical Minerals Strategy
“The present situation, in which the hostile forces get frantic in their military moves to infringe upon the security interests of the DPRK and undermine the regional strategic stability, highlights the validity and justness of the DPRK’s indispensable self-defensive efforts to deter them,” the commentary said, referring to the country by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The warning came as South Korea launched its annual Hoguk field exercise with US forces on Monday. Japan also began large-scale military drills with the United States, known as Keen Sword, on the same day, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Pyongyang accused Seoul of failing to conceal what it called the “aggressive and provocative nature” of the South Korea-US exercise. It argued that the military activities demonstrated the need to strengthen its deterrence capabilities.
“Bolstered deterrent is required to deal with ever-escalating threats, and repeated provocations are bound to meet with such prompt reaction as bolstering of stronger capabilities,” KCNA said.
North Korea pledges to strengthen military deterrence
North Korea said it would continue to develop its military capabilities to defend its sovereignty, citing what it described as growing security threats arising from repeated military exercises involving the United States, Japan and South Korea.
“To cope with the security environment on the Korean peninsula that has been put in new danger by oft-repeated US-Japan-ROK military provocations, the DPRK will continue to remind them of its will to defend sovereignty through ceaseless upgrading, bolstering and responsible demonstration of its reliable war deterrent for self-defence,” the commentary added.
The statement did not specify what actions North Korea might take in response to the exercises or provide a timeline for any potential retaliation.
The Hoguk exercise is scheduled to continue until October 30. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Forces Korea is participating in the drills to improve interoperability between American and South Korean troops.
The exercises come amid persistent tensions on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea has repeatedly condemned joint military activities involving Washington and its regional allies.
Pyongyang maintains that strengthening its military capabilities is necessary for self-defence, while South Korea and the United States conduct joint training to improve their readiness and coordination.
North Korea’s latest warning signals its continued opposition to the military cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan, although it remains unclear whether the statement will be followed by specific military action.
