North Korea strongly criticized joint military exercises involving South Korea, Japan, and the United States, calling them an “Asian version of NATO” and warning of serious consequences. These exercises, named “Freedom Edge,” included activities like missile defense, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and cyber defense training.
They are part of an annual agreement aimed at showing unity against North Korea’s nuclear threats and China’s influence in the region. Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, condemned the drills through its Foreign Ministry via the state-run KCNA news agency on June 30. The DPRK accused the participating countries of provocative military actions and objected to what it sees as the creation of a NATO-like military alliance in Asia.
According to North Korea, the cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea now resembles a military alliance, which Pyongyang strongly opposes. North Korea warns it will not ignore efforts by these countries to strengthen their military ties.
North Korea has always seen joint military drills as preparations for invasion, and this recent exercise was no different. It included major military assets like the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Japan’s JS Atago guided-missile destroyer, and South Korea’s KF-16 fighter jets.
At the same time, tensions between North and South Korea increased due to recent provoking balloon campaigns. Pyongyang sent balloons filled with trash towards South Korea in response to Seoul’s balloons carrying pro-South messages.
Meanwhile, South Korea is worried about North Korea’s closer relations with Russia. North Korea is accused of breaking international arms agreements by allegedly supplying weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict. This accusation came after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, highlighting the deepening ties between the two isolated countries.
North Korea’s criticism of joint military exercises involving the US, South Korea, and Japan highlights continuing tensions in Korea, influenced by regional politics and military actions.