N. Korea slams S. Korea, U.S.' Freedom Flag air drills, vows to deter with force

North Korea vehemently criticized the joint air drills conducted between South Korea and the United States, pledging to staunchly deter the allies through force, according to Pyongyang's state-run media. A spokesperson from North Korea's defense ministry issued the stern response as the biannual Freedom Flag exercise commenced on Monday and was set to last two weeks.

The U.S. and South Korean military forces were accused of launching a provocative, large-scale joint air drill against North Korea on October 26, deploying a significant number of troops and advanced aircraft. The North Korean statement, published by the country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), detailed that the drills involved the Army, Navy, and Marines from allied forces, and included the deployment of air refueling tankers and attack drones.

North Korea contended that these activities were clearly intended for military purposes, contradicting the allies' assertion of a defensive character. North Korea's armed forces vowed to firmly deter any threats with force, asserting that their response would be proportionate to the adversary's actions. North Korea has maintained a steadfast stance on this issue for an extended period.