North Korea vows to strengthen nuclear deterrent after US-South Korea drills
Pyongyang accused the US and South Korea of conducting a joint military exercise that functioned as a rehearsal for nuclear warfare.
North Korea has pledged to accelerate its efforts to bolster its nuclear deterrent, according to a report by the Times of India on Monday. The state media KCNA stated that Pyongyang viewed recent joint military exercises by the US and South Korea as a rehearsal for nuclear war.
Kim Jong Sik, a deputy department director in the ruling Workers’ Party, said the Iron Mace exercise showed that Washington is committed to an ambition to stifle North Korea with nukes. He claimed such threats are increasing every day.
The Iron Mace exercise took place from September 29 to October 2. According to Seoul’s military, the drills were intended to integrate US nuclear capabilities with the conventional forces of South Korea.
Kim, a senior official involved in nuclear and missile development, said the exercise and other joint activities by the two allies highlighted the necessity for North Korea to increase its nuclear forces more quickly. Analysts noted it is unusual for Kim to issue statements regarding nuclear policy, as these are typically released by the foreign or defence ministry.
Tensions have risen following a border mine explosion in September. North Korea previously threatened to restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts towards the South by the end of October, though South Korea’s military said on Monday there were no confirmed indications that this had happened.
