North Korea has expressed its opposition to U.S.-led multinational military exercises involving South Korea and Japan, stating it will continue to strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities.
On September 18, the Korean Central News Agency published a statement from Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee.
In her statement, Kim criticized the recent multinational maritime exercise 'Pacific Vanguard 2026' conducted near Guam, calling it a "threatening war game" orchestrated by the U.S. to foster regional confrontation.
She also mentioned other U.S.-led military drills, including 'Cobra Gold,' 'Pitch Black,' the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), and 'Super Garuda Shield.'
Kim asserted that the participation of South Korea and Japan in these exercises indicates a strengthening of military cooperation among the three nations. She claimed that the primary objective of this cooperation is North Korea and that U.S. military activities are escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
She stated that as external military threats increase, North Korea's military capabilities will continue to grow. Kim argued that proactive measures exceeding existing response levels are necessary to counter U.S. military activities.
Kim emphasized that North Korea will not change its course of enhancing its nuclear deterrence. She warned that if North Korea's national interests, military sovereignty, and regional security environment are seriously compromised, the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) will activate provisions in accordance with its constitutional obligations and mobilize all available means."
'Pacific Vanguard' is a multinational maritime exercise conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet since 2019, involving naval forces from South Korea, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, focusing on anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
Additionally, in a separate statement released the previous day, Kim condemned the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) call for North Korea's denuclearization during its general conference. She reaffirmed that North Korea's status as a nuclear power is irreversible and that it will not accept the international community's demands for denuclearization.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.