North Korea Denounces US-South Korea Joint Military Drills
North Korea threatened a strong deterrent posture after South Korea and the United States conducted nuclear tabletop exercises and joint air defense drills.
The Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea denounced recent joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, claiming the activities increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In response to the drills, the ministry asserted there is no limit to the options it will use to maintain a deterrent posture against threats from the U.S. and its allies.
The tensions follow two distinct sets of exercises. From September 29 to October 2, forces from South Korea and the United States conducted Iron Mace tabletop drills in Seoul. These closed-door sessions, held under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung, focused on integrating conventional capabilities with U.S. nuclear deterrence based on guidance from the Nuclear Consultative Group.
More recently, the two allies launched Freedom Flag air defense drills on October 26 at Kunsan Air Base. Scheduled to run until November 6, these exercises utilize supersonic stealth jets, including South Korean F-35A and U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter aircraft.
