U.S., Japan, South Korea maritime drills are ‘threat’ to North Korea, Pyongyang says
The exercises and North Korea's opposition to them come as U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for a new meeting with Kim Jong Un.
Seoul – The United States, Japan and South Korea are conducting maritime drills from September 7 to 11, according to Pyongyang, which claims the exercises pose a threat to North Korea. The US-led Freedom Edge exercise, held in international waters east and south of South Korea's Jeju Island, is described by North Korea's foreign ministry as an act of aggression against the DPRK.
The drills involve the three allied nations working together in a multidomain joint military exercise, with Seoul maintaining the drills are defensive in nature. North Korea alleges that the US is conducting air espionage and other military provocations, and reiterates its stance that its nuclear arsenal is the most responsible measure to ensure regional peace and security.
Despite US President Donald Trump's efforts to resume talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Pyongyang remains defiant, firing missiles and condemning the downsized drills and the approval of arms sales to South Korea.
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