World · Malaysia Bureau
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong warns of escalated response to US military drills
North Korea's influential leader Kim Yo Jong has condemned recent joint military exercises conducted by the United States and its regional allies, characterizing them as preparation for conflict. The official warned of a more aggressive response should such drills continue.
LSN Malaysia ·
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a key regime spokesperson, issued a strongly-worded statement denouncing what she characterized as a 'US-led war rehearsal' in the Asia-Pacific region. The criticism targets joint military exercises recently conducted by American forces alongside allies in the region over recent months.
The statement represents Pyongyang's latest effort to escalate rhetoric against perceived military threats from Washington and its partners. Kim Yo Jong's involvement in the denunciation underscores the high-level attention North Korea is directing toward the matter.
The North Korean official threatened that her country would respond with increasingly aggressive measures if the military drills persist. She did not provide specific details regarding the nature of such a response, though the warning reflects the heightened tensions surrounding military activities in the region.
The US and its allies have regularly conducted joint training exercises in the Asia-Pacific, which military officials maintain are defensive in nature and necessary for regional security. North Korea has consistently protested such activities, viewing them as preparation for potential military action against the regime.