SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, again criticized a U.S.-led multinational military exercise in the Asia-Pacific, accusing Washington and its allies of escalating regional tensions and warning that Pyongyang could respond with stronger measures.
In a statement carried by the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency on Friday, Kim condemned Pacific Vanguard, a two-week maritime exercise involving the U.S. and several of its allies including South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
The exercise was held in waters near Guam from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10.
Calling it another U.S.-led "war game" intended to fuel confrontation and expand Washington's influence in the Asia Pacific, she also cited other multinational drills including Cobra Gold, Pitch Black, RIMPAC and Super Garuda Shield, arguing that the repeated participation of South Korea and Japan reflects deepening trilateral military cooperation.
She also claimed that growing military cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo was aimed mainly at North Korea, warning that Pyongyang could take stronger action, "proportional or more offensive in its nature," if it deemed its sovereignty or security was under serious threat.
She added that North Korea was prepared to "mobilize all means available" in response to what it considers “hostile” military activities.
Her statement came just a day after she dismissed international calls for North Korea's denuclearization at the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) annual conference in Vienna, Austria this week.
North Korea has frequently condemned these joint military exercises, calling them preparations for war.
In a statement carried by the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency on Friday, Kim condemned Pacific Vanguard, a two-week maritime exercise involving the U.S. and several of its allies including South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
The exercise was held in waters near Guam from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10.
Calling it another U.S.-led "war game" intended to fuel confrontation and expand Washington's influence in the Asia Pacific, she also cited other multinational drills including Cobra Gold, Pitch Black, RIMPAC and Super Garuda Shield, arguing that the repeated participation of South Korea and Japan reflects deepening trilateral military cooperation.
She also claimed that growing military cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo was aimed mainly at North Korea, warning that Pyongyang could take stronger action, "proportional or more offensive in its nature," if it deemed its sovereignty or security was under serious threat.
She added that North Korea was prepared to "mobilize all means available" in response to what it considers “hostile” military activities.
Her statement came just a day after she dismissed international calls for North Korea's denuclearization at the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) annual conference in Vienna, Austria this week.
North Korea has frequently condemned these joint military exercises, calling them preparations for war.
AJP Takeaways
- Kim Yo Jong condemned Pacific Vanguard, a U.S.-led multinational maritime exercise involving the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, held near Guam from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10, 2026.
- North Korea warned of a stronger military response if it considers its sovereignty or security under serious threat, with Kim Yo Jong saying Pyongyang could take action "proportional or more offensive in its nature" and "mobilize all means available."
- Kim Yo Jong also rejected international calls for North Korea's denuclearization, reiterating Pyongyang's opposition to such demands a day before her criticism of the Pacific Vanguard exercise.
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