The Korean Central News Agency carried a commentary issued Monday by a North Korean military commentator under the title, “The U.S.-Japan-South Korea tripartite threat entrenched as a new security crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“The tripartite threat posed by the United States, Japan and South Korea is becoming increasingly evident as they openly disregard the security concerns of regional countries and seek military superiority by continuously strengthening their combined war-fighting capabilities,” the commentary said.
It cited the recently concluded U.S.-led RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, as evidence of that trend.
North Korea took particular issue with what it described as the leading roles played by South Korea and Japan in carrying out Washington’s regional strategy.
During RIMPAC 2026, the Republic of Korea Navy assumed command of the Combined Forces Maritime Component for the first time, while Japan served in a deputy command role for a combined task force.
The commentary claimed that the command assignments demonstrated Washington’s intention to improve operational interoperability with South Korea and Japan, shift a greater share of the regional security burden onto its allies and establish military dominance in the Asia-Pacific.
It also referred to remarks by U.S. Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, who said the leadership roles performed by South Korea and Japan were “not simply symbolic” but operational.
North Korea claimed the remarks showed that RIMPAC amounted to a rehearsal for an “aggressive war” led by the United States, Japan and South Korea.
The commentary also criticized recent military activities involving Seoul and Washington, including the Buddy Squadron combined air exercise and the 2026 Combined Joint Sustainment Training, as well as South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
“The confrontational moves of the United States on and beyond the Korean Peninsula, along with the recklessness of Japan and South Korea in joining them, have already crossed a critical point and are threatening global peace and security,” it said.
“The tripartite threat posed by the United States, Japan and South Korea is becoming entrenched as a new security crisis in the Asia-Pacific region,” it added.
North Korea warned that it would counter what it called a “new level of threat” with a corresponding level of deterrence, describing such a response as part of its consistent approach to controlling the security situation and managing crises.
The statement came days after RIMPAC concluded in and around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise drew attention to South Korea’s expanded naval role, as it became the first Asian country to command the exercise’s combined maritime component.
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