N. Korea slams U.S.-led naval exercise, vows to respond with 'deterrence of new level'

North Korea has denounced a recent U.S.-led multinational naval exercise, RIMPAC, as a war rehearsal and threatened to respond with a new level of deterrence. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published an article attributing the remarks to a military commentator, stating that the exercise, which took place in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24 to July 31, is evidence of deepening military cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

The article also criticized recent South Korea-U.S. military activities, such as the Buddy Squadron air drills and combined joint sustainment training, as preparations for a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, warning that the trilateral alliance has already crossed a red line and threatens global peace and security. North Korea reiterated its resolve to bolster deterrence, stating that it will respond to threats with a new level of deterrence.

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