Amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula, North Korea has vehemently condemned joint military drills conducted by South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Pyongyang accuses the three nations of forming an “Asian version of NATO,” a serious accusation highlighting the escalating situation. These comments from the isolated nation follow the initiation of large-scale joint military exercises, codenamed “Freedom Edge,” by the three countries. The operation, involving navy destroyers, fighter jets, and the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, aims to strengthen the alliance’s missile, submarine, and air attack capabilities.
Reacting strongly, North Korea’s foreign ministry declared that Pyongyang would not stand idly by as a US-led military bloc grows stronger. KCNA, the state-run news agency, reported the ministry’s statement, which asserted that North Korea would take aggressive and overwhelming action to safeguard regional peace.
The statement also condemned South Korea’s decision to supply weapons to Ukraine, interpreting it as Washington’s attempt to integrate Seoul and Tokyo into NATO. Notably, South Korea’s commitment to aiding Ukraine in its war with Russia came after North Korea signed a mutual defense pact with Russia during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the hermit nation.
Previously, both South Korea and the United States accused Pyongyang of sending munitions to Russia during the ongoing conflict. However, both North Korea and Russia have vehemently denied these allegations.
In the midst of the joint military drills, North Korea’s ruling party held a pivotal meeting on Saturday, chaired by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. State media revealed that the meeting addressed “deviations” hindering economic development and outlined the country’s focus for the second half of the year.
North Korea has long condemned such joint drills, viewing them as evidence of invasive and hostile policies by Washington and Seoul. Last year, the US, Japan, and South Korea participated in joint naval missile defense and anti-submarine exercises with the objective of enhancing their responses to North Korean threats.
