Seoul, South Korea — Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has sharply criticized the upcoming joint military exercises involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan, warning that such actions could lead to “negative consequences” for the participating nations.
The exercises, named Iron Mace and Freedom Edge, are set to commence today. Iron Mace is a tabletop drill scheduled from September 15 to 19 at the U.S. Forces Korea headquarters in Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek. The drill aims to integrate U.S. nuclear capabilities with South Korea’s conventional forces to counter North Korean threats.
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Simultaneously, the Freedom Edge exercise, a trilateral drill involving the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, will occur in international waters southeast of South Korea’s Jeju Island. This five-day exercise focuses on enhancing aerial, naval, and cyber defense capabilities in response to North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.
Kim Yo Jong, serving as a vice department director in North Korea’s ruling party, denounced the drills as a “reckless show of strength” and a “dangerous idea,” warning that such military activities could have “negative consequences” for the participating countries.
North Korea has consistently condemned joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea, viewing them as rehearsals for invasion. Seoul and Washington maintain that these drills are defensive in nature.
The Iron Mace exercise is the third of its kind since its inception under the Nuclear Consultative Group, established following an April 2023 summit between former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and former U.S. President Joe Biden. This marks the first such exercise under South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom have expressed a desire to resume dialogue with North Korea.
In response to the upcoming drills, North Korean official Pak Jong Chon emphasized that continued displays of power by what Pyongyang calls “hostile forces” would provoke stronger retaliatory actions.
As the exercises unfold, regional tensions remain high, with North Korea viewing these drills as provocative and a potential threat to its security. The international community is closely watching, as the outcomes could influence future diplomatic engagements and security dynamics in the region.
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