North Korea announced it would continue its self-defense measures in response to U.S.-South Korea military exercises
North Korea condemned the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, Ulchi Freedom Shield, and stated that it would continue to exercise its right to self-defense. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in the scale of the joint exercises with Seoul, according to the Korea Herald.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday and will last 11 days. In a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang said it would continue to exercise its right to self-defense in order to, as it claims, neutralize the military threat posed by countries that the DPRK calls hostile.
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The DPRK made no mention of Trump’s order to scale back the annual exercises. The Korea Herald characterizes this decision as a step aimed at resuming dialogue with Pyongyang. In contrast, a commentary by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) asserts that the exercises have become more complex and increasingly focused on real combat operations.
KCNA also criticized what it described as the expansion of the role of the U.S.-led UN Command in the exercises. Pyongyang stated that the organization, which allegedly played a supporting role in Ulchi Freedom Shield several years ago, is attempting to resume combat functions. North Korea also called South Korea a training ground for allies, a staging area for multinational forces, and a testing ground for modern warfare.
