North Korea Criticizes South Korea, U.S. Military Training

(MENAFN) On Monday, North Korea strongly criticized the annual joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea, labeling them as a "planned and provocative nuclear war rehearsal."

A state news agency reported that Pyongyang cautioned it would continue to enhance its military capabilities to overpower any potential threats posed by its adversaries.

This statement was issued by the disarmament and peace institute within North Korea’s Foreign Ministry following the conclusion of the 11-day Freedom Shield exercise, which took place from March 13 to 23.

North Korea expressed concerns that the drills were particularly "aggressive" and "offensive," claiming that the scale of this year’s exercises was unprecedented in history.

In its statement, the institute emphasized that possessing a formidable and unstoppable attack power, along with overwhelming striking capability, is the most reliable means of preventing war and effectively deterring any threat or coercion from adversaries.

The North Korean government reiterated its commitment to "consistently renew and strengthen its responses in all areas to overwhelm any military act by its enemies."

Additionally, North Korea condemned the drills as a "dangerous provocative act," launching multiple ballistic missiles, likely short-range, on the very first day of the exercise.

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