North Korea on Friday threatened an “unprecedented” response to upcoming joint US-South Korean military exercises, which it considers preparations for war.
The warning comes ahead of a technical meeting scheduled for next week in Washington where the two allies will discuss possible responses to North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons.
The Pyongyang regime has long criticized joint US-South Korean military exercises, which it sees as training for an invasion.
“These are preparations for a war of aggression,” a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.
If Washington and Seoul proceed with the exercises, both “will face unprecedented persistent and energetic counterattacks”, it adds.
Next week’s exercises will focus on “joint planning, joint management and joint response, with Washington’s nuclear assets” in the event of a nuclear attack by North Korea, a South Korean defense ministry official told AFP. .
Under President Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea intensified military exercises with the United States, which had been reduced during the covid pandemic.