The DPRK has condemned the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise between the United States and the Republic of Korea, calling it a move that "disturbs the regional security environment." In a statement published by the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yong Bok, first vice-chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, argued that the large-scale drill “can never be ‘defensive’” when organized by the world’s largest nuclear power and its “satellite states.”
“The current joint military drill is the one for an actual war, which makes its provocative nature more clear, as it renewed the records of all the past rehearsals for an anti-DPRK war in its nature, scale and mode,” the statement continued.
Highlighting its multinational scope, the DPRK noted that this year’s exercise features the highest number and duration of field maneuvers ever recorded, transforming it into “the biggest, the longest and the worst war drill” in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.
The statement concluded that the DPRK is “watching everything carefully and ready to cope with any situation.” It follows similar denouncements earlier this month by defense minister No Kwang Chol and a KPA General Staff spokesperson.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
