The US and South Korea launched their annual spring military drills, "Freedom Shield", on 9/3. The exercises, involving approximately 18,000 troops, are scheduled to run until 19/3. North Korea consistently condemns these drills as "simulations of invasion".

On 10/3, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned that the US-South Korea drills "could lead to unimaginable, terrible consequences", according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency.

Kim Yo-Jong speaking in Pyongyang, North Korea in 8/2022. Photo: KCNA

According to Kim, the drills are taking place at a critical time when "wars are breaking out in many parts of the world". She added that this situation is due to "reckless actions" by some parties.

Kim's statement comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently dismissed Seoul's latest peace efforts as a "clumsy deceptive farce," asserting that North Korea "has absolutely no obligation to engage with South Korea". Pyongyang also condemned the conflict in Iran, labeling US and Israeli operations as "illegal acts of aggression".

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense stated that the "Freedom Shield" drills are proceeding normally, "despite the ongoing situation in the Middle East". Concerns had previously arisen that the exercises might be affected, particularly after the US redeployed some military assets, including patriot missile defense systems, from South Korea to the Middle East.

North Korea has also recently been regularly showcasing its military capabilities, with Kim Jong-un declaring that the country will focus on projects to increase its nuclear weapons arsenal.

Technically, North Korea and South Korea remain in a state of war, as the 1950-1953 conflict concluded with an armistice agreement, not a peace treaty. Tensions between the two sides are often high, with North Korea increasing its weapons tests and issuing deterrence messages, while South Korea strengthens joint drills with its US ally.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, KCNA, Yonhap)