(LEAD) N.K. leader's sister says reduced military exercise put Seoul 'in poor plight of canceling war games'

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has expressed her concerns over the recent reduction in the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) military exercise between South Korea and the United States. She claims that Washington's decision to scale down the drills has put Seoul in a difficult position, forcing them to cancel war games they had anticipated with great enthusiasm.

Kim's comments come as the UFS exercise, originally scheduled to run from August 17-27, was shortened to only five days due to President Donald Trump's decision to reduce its scale. This unexpected shortening has left South Korea feeling blindsided and uneasy, according to Kim. She further asserts that this action demonstrates the uneasiness and impatience of the South Korean government, particularly regarding President Lee Jae-myung's contradictory statements.

Kim labeled the reduced exercise as an "evident disaster" for South Korean authorities, alluding to their blind trust in the U.S. master. She also warns that the world is witnessing the increasing costs of U.S. security aids, indicating that the entire territory of the Republic of Korea (ROK) would not be enough to gain favor with North Korea's ruthless leader.