North Korea on Monday called on the United States and South Korea to halt large-scale military exercises in the region, describing them as a provocation that may require “stronger follow-up measures” from Pyongyang.
“The situation in and around the Korean peninsula has entered the phase of a serious confrontation … due to the continuous and reckless military moves of the United States and South Korea”, reads a statement from the North Foreign Ministry. , released by South Korea. News agency.
The United States and South Korea began one of the largest joint military air drills on Monday, in which hundreds of warplanes from both sides conducted round-the-clock strike drills for most of the week.
The US Air Force has stated that the operation, dubbed “Awakening Storm”, will continue until Friday, with the participation of about 240 warplanes, carrying out about 1,600 sorties.
Washington and Seoul believe Pyongyang may be on the verge of resuming nuclear bomb tests for the first time since 2017, so they have adopted a strategy to “discourage” Pyongyang with major military exercises that some current and former officials say could exacerbate tensions.
The statement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the country is “ready to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, the security of its people and territorial integrity from external military threats”.
“If the United States continues with serious military provocations,” the Northern Foreign Ministry added, the country would consider adopting “stronger follow-up measures”.
“If the United States does not want dangerous developments incompatible with their security interests, they should immediately stop the useless and ineffective war games. If not, they will have to take full responsibility for all consequences,” the ministry said in its statement. .
On Friday, South Korean forces completed the 12-day Hojok 22 field exercises, which included drills on amphibious landings, crossing a river, and some drills with US forces.
North Korea denounces the joint exercises as evidence for the invasion and evidence of hostile policies in Washington and Seoul. The North launched rockets and missiles into the sea and conducted air exercises in response to the maneuvers.
North Korea has ignored repeated requests from the United States to resume talks about its nuclear and missile programs and is instead conducting an unprecedented series of missile tests this year.
