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North Korea Warns of 'Self-Defense Rights' Ahead of US-South Korea Drills

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • - North Korea criticized the upcoming South Korea-U.S.
  • joint military exercise

North Korea has denounced the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS), warning of potential missile launches and heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on August 14, calling the exercise an "act of aggression" and a "demonstration of an invasion war."

We will more clearly express our position of thoroughly prohibiting any threat and challenge.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonIn a statement released via the Korean Central News Agency, responding to the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise.

Pyongyang specifically cited the inclusion of outdoor field training and advanced equipment like drones in this year's UFS as reasons for its strong opposition. The ministry argued that the exercise's true purpose is to prepare for a "real military confrontation" with North Korea, despite Seoul and Washington's claims that it is "annual" and "defensive."

The purpose of the exercise is to complete preparations for a real military confrontation with our country, and they are admitting that this exercise, which the U.S. and South Korea insist is 'annual' and 'defensive,' is essentially a demonstration of an invasion war.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonCriticizing the nature and objectives of the 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' military drills.

The statement also highlighted the evolving trilateral military cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, referring to it as a "nuclear alliance." North Korea warned that it would respond to any "threat or challenge" with "resolute self-defense rights" and apply "new levels of deterrence" to new threats, vowing to use its "most powerful and overwhelming response capabilities."

The large-scale war exercises by the U.S. and South Korea are causing a level of security instability in and around the Korean Peninsula that is different from previous years.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonDescribing the impact of the joint military drills on regional security.

The UFS exercise is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 27. North Korea had previously launched ballistic missiles on August 6 and 12, indicating a potential for further military actions during the joint drills.

Applying new levels of deterrence to new levels of threat is our consistent security guarantee principle.

— North Korean Foreign Ministry SpokespersonWarning of a strong response to perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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