N. Korea warns of 'new level of deterrent' ahead of key S. Korea-U.S. military drills

On August 14, North Korea asserted that it would respond to joint military drills between South Korea and the United States with a new level of deterrent. The country's foreign ministry spokesperson made this claim amid preparations for the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, scheduled to commence on Monday and last until August 27.

North Korea contended that the U.S. had described the exercise as significantly different from previous drills over the past five years, implying that Washington sought to perfect modern warfare tactics. The statement, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), did not hide the intention behind the U.S. drill: to prepare for a substantial military confrontation with North Korea.

The spokesperson reiterated North Korea's firm principle of responding to new threats with a corresponding escalation in its deterrent capabilities. North Korea emphasized its unwavering commitment to thwarting hostile acts from outside forces and safeguarding the nation's supreme interests through legitimate self-defense. In response to the U.S.-South Korea drills, Pyongyang has denounced them as war rehearsals and conducted its own weapons tests in protest.

Last Thursday, North Korea launched missiles toward the East Sea, and on Wednesday, it carried out another missile launch.