North Korea has announced a “firm” response to the joint US-South Korea military exercises. The maneuver was an “open provocation”, the state news agency KCNA quoted an army statement on Monday.
The “very aggressive” exercises aimed directly at North Korea were intended to “raise tensions in the region”. North Korea will respond with “persistent, resolute and overwhelming” measures.
missile test series
North Korea carried out a series of missile tests last week. According to South Korean information, an ICBM was also fired. The United States and South Korea responded by extending their air force’s “Vigilant Storm” maneuver. The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that a US B-1B strategic bomber would also participate.
nuclear test warning
North Korea has been particularly upset in the past by the US deployment of strategic weapons such as B-1B fighter jets. These jets, while no longer carrying nuclear weapons, are referred to by the US Air Force as the “backbone of America’s long-range bombers”.
Washington and Seoul have been warning for months that North Korea could conduct a nuclear weapons test in the near future. It would be the first such test since 2017. North Korea has carried out six nuclear weapons tests since 2006.