SEOUL: North Korea’s foreign ministry criticized the United States (US) for expanding joint military exercises with South Korea, claiming it was practice for a possible attack, and it responded on Tuesday with a more powerful follow-up. Up steps were warned. The statement from the ministry comes as the US and South Korea recently conducted air drills with more than 200 warplanes, including their advanced F-35 fighter jets. Because, they increase their defense strength in the face of North Korea’s increasing weapons testing and increasing nuclear threat.
- North Korea has stepped up its weapons display at a record pace this year, launching more than 40 ballistic missiles.
- South Korea conducts air drills with more than 200 warplanes, including its advanced F-35 fighter jets
North Korea has stepped up its weapons display at a record pace this year, launching more than 40 ballistic missiles. Also includes developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and intermediate-range missiles fired over Japan. North Korea has halted those tests with the escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes preemptive nuclear strikes in loosely defined emergency situations.
The US and South Korea have resumed large-scale military exercises this year as part of efforts to build diplomatic space with Pyongyang and after reducing or suspending them in previous years due to the pandemic. The United States and South Korea’s ‘Vigilante Storm’ air force exercise is scheduled to continue until Friday. The development comes after South Korea completed its annual 12-day ‘Hoguk’ field exercise. In which the officials say, an unspecified number of American soldiers were also involved.