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

North Korea has criticized an upcoming joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, warning it will respond with a new level of deterrent. A spokesperson from North Korea's foreign ministry made the statement as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise was set to commence on Monday and continue until August 27.

The North claimed that Washington had portrayed the exercise as markedly different from the past five years, framing it as an effort by the U.S. to perfect modern warfare tactics, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This framing, the North suggested, did not hide its intention to finish preparations for a significant military confrontation with North Korea.

The statement reiterated Pyongyang's unwavering principle of ensuring security by responding to new threats with a corresponding new level of deterrent. It emphasized that North Korea remains resolute in its determination to counteract the hostile actions of outsiders with the most potent and overwhelming force, and to staunchly defend the supreme interests of the state.