North Korea Warns of Military Response to US-South Korea 'Freedom Flag' Exercises

North Korea has claimed that the US-South Korea joint air exercise, 'Freedom Flag,' is a military drill aimed at preemptive strikes, hinting at the possibility of a military response.

In a statement released on October 30 through the Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for North Korea's Defense Ministry asserted, "The United States and South Korea have been conducting a large-scale joint air exercise mobilizing extensive aerial forces targeting our nation since October 26."

The spokesperson noted that the exercise involves not only the air forces of South Korea and the United States but also combat aircraft, early warning aircraft, aerial refueling planes, and attack drones from the army, navy, and Marine Corps, stating, "This demonstrates the difference between the defensive nature of the exercise and the actual military objectives pursued."

North Korea also criticized the fact that the US Marine Corps' multi-domain reconnaissance training, previously conducted in Hawaii, is being held for the first time in South Korea. They claimed that the purpose of this training is to support South Korea's preemptive strike system against North Korea, known as the 'Kill Chain.'

The spokesperson warned, "Any hostile act that approaches our nation's right to security will be subject to the legitimate exercise of our military sovereignty," adding, "There are no limits to our options to enhance control over the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

The spokesperson emphasized, "Our military will thoroughly deter threats through strength and will act only in ways that adversaries can understand."

The 'Freedom Flag' exercise is a large-scale joint air training conducted twice a year to enhance the operational capabilities and interoperability of the US and South Korean air forces. The ongoing fall exercise, which began on October 26, will continue until November 6 around Gunsan Air Base and includes joint training led by South Korea in preparation for the transfer of wartime operational control.