North Korea issues warning over joint US-South Korea war exercises

Pyongyang/Seoul – Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, warned that the North Korean government and military are closely monitoring whether South Korea conducts a provocative war or makes a bold decision. A few days ago, North and South Korea decided to re-establish bilateral ties. After that, there are indications that a meeting will be held between the leaders of the two countries. Against this backdrop, the warning given by Kim Yo-jong is significant.

In June last year, North Korea blew up a diplomatic office to improve relations between the two countries. North Korea has since severed ties between the two countries and expedited military and nuclear moves. In the past few months, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has also begun increasing cooperation with China. All of these moves are aimed at putting pressure on South Korea and the United States.

A few days ago, amid the efforts to overcome the pressure, North and South Korea decided to re-establish contact with each other. There were indications that North Korea is trying to improve relations again. At the same time, Kim Yo-jong’s gesture shows that the North Korean stand on the joint exercises between the United States and South Korea has not changed. Kim Yo-jong warned, ‘In the last few days, I have been watching reports of joint exercises between the United States and South Korean militaries. It is said that these exercises will take place as per schedule. The top leadership of North and South Korea are taking steps to build bilateral trust. At such times, these exercises can be detrimental to everything and will weaken the effort. It could also affect North-South relations.

She further added that the North Korean government and military are keeping a close eye as to which option South Korea chooses, between provocative military exercises and adventurous decisions. Earlier, in March, Kim Jong-un threatened the United States in the wake of a series of practices between the United States and South Korea. Analysts say that North Korea is trying to put pressure on the United States by threatening South Korea this time. Senior South Korean officials have ruled out the cancellation of the exercise with the United States. The scope and other things pertaining to the practices may change, but South Korea has warned that the training will not be cancelled.

Meanwhile, North Korea has fired a salvo of criticism on the British decision to deploy two warships in the Indo-Pacific. A senior North Korean official has termed the British decision as ‘provocative.’ North Korean officials claimed, ‘The United Kingdom supports its decision to deploy, citing the threat posed by North Korea. It will receive an intense response from countries in the region and will further escalate tensions.’