North Korea issues tough warnings: U.S.-South Korea drills cross red lines, triggering "new-level deterrence"
Pyongyang has issued a strong condemnation against Seoul and Washington. North Korea pledged to respond to the upcoming joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea—“Ulchi Freedom Shield”—with its “new deterrence capability,” according to a report released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson of North Korea, published by KCNA, it was stated that the United States openly claimed this drill differs from past exercises. North Korean diplomats said the focus of the exercise lies in testing actual combat readiness, and the U.S. makes no attempt to conceal this fact. The statement emphasized that Washington and Seoul have effectively signaled their preparation for real-world military confrontation with North Korea.
Pyongyang further pointed out that such actions are exacerbating instability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region to an unprecedented degree, constituting a serious security threat. The capital declared: “In response to new threats, we will employ new deterrence forces—this is our consistent principle in safeguarding national security.”
The “Ulchi Freedom Shield” drill is scheduled to begin on August 17 and run through August 27.
Additionally, according to Yonhap News Agency on August 12, North Korea launched an unidentified tactical missile toward the east on that day. This launch occurred just before the start of the annual core joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. Previously, North Korea had repeatedly condemned these drills, calling them “a rehearsal for war.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873484889707592/
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