North Korea Issues Warning Against US and South Korea: “Unprecedentedly Persistent and Strong Counteractions
North Korea has issued a stern warning against the United States and South Korea, threatening to launch “unprecedentedly persistent and strong counteractions” if the two allies push ahead with planned military drills.[0] The statement came as the two nations were gearing up for Freedom Shield joint military exercises, aimed at honing their joint response to a potential use of nuclear weapons by North Korea.
The statement from the North Korean foreign ministry came after South Korea declared the North Korean regime and military “enemies” for the first time in six years in its biennial defense policy white paper, citing Pyongyang's growing nuclear threat and hostile stance.[1] The U.S. and South Korea are scheduled to conduct tabletop exercises next Wednesday that includes scenario-planning a North Korean nuclear attack, as well as another round of joint military drills in March.[2]
Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared, during his visit to Seoul, that U.S. strategic assets, including sophisticated stealth jets and aircraft carriers, will be deployed to South Korea more frequently.[0] The North Korean ministry has denounced these drills as “dangerous attempts to gain a long-term military edge” over North Korea and warned that the situation on the Korean Peninsula “will be again plunged into the grave vortex of escalating tension” if they are carried out.[0]
The computer simulation at the Pentagon is meant to focus on measures against North Korean nuclear threats and discuss how to boost the US’s ability to use its full capabilities, including nuclear, to deter attacks on its allies, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.[3] The DPRK warned that if the U.N. Security Council continues to be influenced by the U.S. as the latter desires, the DPRK will be forced to consider taking further action, not to mention the possibility of commencing usual military activities.[2]
The U.S. and South Korea have continued to ramp up their military exercises and efforts to counter the North Korean nuclear threat. Despite North Korea’s warnings, the U.S. and South Korea are determined to continue their joint military operations in order to ensure the safety of their citizens.
0. “North Korea Threatens ‘Unprecedented’ Response to US-South Korea Drills” Voice of America – VOA News, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/north-korea-threatens-unprecedented-response-to-us-south-korea-drills-/6967100.html
1. “Kim Jong Un Threatens ‘Strong Responses’ Over Military Drills” Benzinga, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/30956013/kim-jong-un-threatens-unprecedentedly-strong-responses-as-us-south-korea-prepare-for-military-drills
2. “North Korea warns of “strong counteractions” for U.S.-South Korea drills” Kyodo News Plus, 17 Feb. 2023, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/02/8141cf8a76ca-n-korea-warns-of-strong-counteractions-for-us-s-korea-drills.html
3. “North Korea warns of ‘unprecedented' response to U.S.-S. Korea military exercises” UPI News, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/02/17/North-Korea-unprecedented-response-military-drills/1611676619402/
