For Pyongyang, the US-South Korea-led operation “Vigilant Storm” is a “provocation,” says the Yonhap news agency.
North Korea is promising a “strong” military response to the joint exercises in Washington and Seoul, reports South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. These military exercises, organized by South Korea and the United States, are “a provocation,” says Pyongyang.
Tensions have risen between Pyongyang and Seoul in recent days, with multiple missiles fired by North Korea, including one into South Korean territorial waters, a first since 1953.
“Sustainable, resolute and overwhelming practical military action”
In a statement, the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army said the latter “will continue to respond to all enemy war drills against the DPRK with sustained, resolute and overwhelming practical military action,” using an acronym for North Korea’s official name. KCNA reports.
The North’s recent ballistic missile tests are a “clear response” to joint US-South Korean exercises, the statement added.
“The longer the enemy’s military provocations continue, the more thorough and ruthless the Korean People’s Army will counter them,” the statement said.