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North Korea mocks reduced US-South Korea drills, calls Seoul military 'puppet'
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Conflict & Security

North Korea mocks reduced US-South Korea drills, calls Seoul military 'puppet'

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • North Korea mocked the US decision to reduce the scale of joint military drills with South Korea, calling the South's military a "puppet army."
  • The North's comments suggest a lack of interest in dialogue with Seoul, despite recent signs of easing tensions.
  • The drills, "Ulchi Freedom Shield," were shortened by President Trump, who cited good relations with Kim Jong Un.

North Korea has derided the United States' decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, with Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, calling the South Korean military a "puppet army" controlled by the U.S.

Unexpectedly, President Donald Trump issued an order to reduce the scale of the drills. As a result, Seoul has found itself in an awkward position โ€“ it had to cancel the 'military exercises' it also favored.

โ€” Kim Yo JongCommenting on the reduction of joint military drills.

"Unexpectedly, President Donald Trump issued an order to reduce the scale of the drills. As a result, Seoul has found itself in an awkward position โ€“ it had to cancel the 'military exercises' it also favored," Kim Yo Jong stated in a release carried by the state news agency KCNA. She also taunted the South Korean military, labeling it a "puppet army whose strings remain in the hands of the U.S."

She also pasityฤiojo iลก Pietลณ Korฤ—jos kariuomenฤ—s, pavadindama jฤ… โ€žmarionetine armija, kurios vadลพios liko JAV rankoseโ€œ.

โ€” Kim Yo JongTaunting the South Korean military.

While Pyongyang's harsh rhetoric toward Seoul is not new, Kim Yo Jong's comments indicate that North Korea is currently not particularly interested in dialogue with Seoul. This comes despite recent signs suggesting a decrease in tensions between the two Koreas.

I believe we have very good relations.

โ€” Donald TrumpExplaining his decision to reduce military drills.

South Korean military data shows North Korea launched about a dozen short-range ballistic missiles, traveling up to 300 km, on Thursday. President Trump ordered the joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, "Ulchi Freedom Shield," to be cut in half. The exercises, initially scheduled to run until August 27, are now set to conclude on Friday. Trump cited his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un as a reason for the decision and expressed hope for another meeting with the North Korean leader this year. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also proposed direct talks with Kim Jong Un in mid-August.

We will bring greater stability and certainty to a world grappling with change and turmoil.

โ€” Admiral Dong JunDiscussing China and Indonesia's shared interests in regional security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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