North Korea Condemns Japan-US Resolute Dragon Military Drills
North Korea labeled joint Japan-US military exercises in Kyushu and Okinawa as war rehearsals aimed at strengthening Japanese invasion capabilities.
The Government of North Korea condemned the Resolute Dragon joint military exercises conducted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the United States Marine Corps. In an editorial published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, North Korea characterized the drills as a war rehearsal designed to sharpen Japanese invasion capabilities, specifically highlighting training involving unmanned aerial vehicles.
The exercises began on June 20 and took place across Kyushu and Okinawa, including joint live-fire drills in Yufu, Oita. North Korea further alleged that Japan had test-fired long-range missiles for preemptive attacks during separate multinational exercises held in April and May, claiming that deepened military ties with the US have aggravated regional security.
In response, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stated that the maneuvers are intended to improve bilateral interoperability for island defense operations. The military branch maintained that the drills serve to strengthen bilateral deterrence and response capabilities.
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