North Korea Protests South Korea-U.S.-Japan Joint Military Exercises
North Korea has expressed opposition to the simultaneous conduct of the South Korea-U.S. nuclear and conventional integrated (CNI) tabletop exercise (TTX) "Iron Mace" and the South Korea-U.S.-Japan multi-domain exercise "Freedom Edge," which are scheduled to take place from September 15 to 19.
Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party, issued a statement through the Korean Central News Agency on September 14, referencing these exercises and warning, "The reckless display of force by the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the vicinity of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which they have chosen poorly, will undoubtedly bring undesirable consequences upon themselves."
She pointed out, "We have already called attention to how dangerous the 'guidelines on nuclear deterrence and nuclear operations on the Korean Peninsula,' fabricated by the United States and South Korea, truly are." She continued, "If the current leaders are fully aware of the dangerous 'plans' devised by their predecessors and are still choosing to endorse and implement them, we will regard this as an unfiltered demonstration of an anti-DPRK confrontational stance and as a continuation of confrontational policies."
However, in her statement, Kim referred only to the "current leaders" without mentioning the presidents of South Korea and the United States by name. Kim's remarks are interpreted as expressing dissatisfaction with the fact that, despite the South Korean and U.S. presidents actively pursuing dialogue with North Korea, they continue to conduct joint exercises as previous administrations did, thereby pressuring for their suspension.
Park Jung-chun, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the highest-ranking military official, also issued a statement, defining the South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint military exercises as "a blatant nuclear war demonstration aimed at using nuclear weapons against our country" and "the most comprehensive and aggressive rehearsal for an invasion war," and voiced his opposition. He warned, "The United States and its followers must not test our patience and should abandon their dangerous games that further aggravate tensions and the security environment in the region," adding, "If the hostile forces continue to flaunt their strength, our counteractions will be expressed more clearly and with greater intensity."
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