World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
North Korea condemns South Korea-U.S. drill and vows to strengthen nuclear deterrent
North Korea condemned a South Korea-U.S.
military exercise called Iron Mace, held from Sept.
29 to Oct.
2.
The exercise rehearsed how South Korea’s conventional forces could work with U.S. nuclear forces.
North Korean official Kim Jong-sik called it a rehearsal for nuclear war and said it showed why the North needed stronger nuclear forces.
He also cited other South Korea-U.S.
drills and a U.S.-Japan exercise as evidence of military pressure.
Pyongyang says it will speed up strengthening its nuclear deterrent, which it says protects the country’s sovereignty and security.
The statement did not announce a specific new weapons measure, but said North Korea’s policy would not change.
North Korea condemned the South Korea-U.S. military exercise Iron Mace and said it would accelerate efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
Kim Jong-sik, a senior Workers’ Party official, described the exercise as a rehearsal for nuclear war against North Korea.
South Korea and the United States held the tabletop exercise at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
North Korea also criticized other allied drills, including Hoguk and Freedom Flag.
The allies said Iron Mace was intended to deter North Korean threats.
- Who
- North Korea, through Workers’ Party official Kim Jong-sik, criticized the exercise. South Korea and the United States conducted it.
- What
- North Korea denounced the Iron Mace exercise and said it would strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
- When
- The exercise took place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. North Korea issued its statement on Nov. 2, according to the articles.
- Where
- The exercise was held at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul.
- Why
- North Korea said the exercise threatened its security and showed that its adversaries were intensifying military moves. The allies said it was intended to deter North Korean threats.
North Korea
South Korea and the United States
Aspect
North Korea
North Korea’s view
South Korea and the United States
South Korea and the United States’ view
Purpose
North Korea
North Korea called Iron Mace a rehearsal for using nuclear weapons against it.
South Korea and the United States
The exercise was intended to deter North Korean threats.
Effect on security
North Korea
North Korea said the exercise threatened its security and justified strengthening its nuclear forces.
South Korea and the United States
The articles do not state an allied response to North Korea’s criticism.
South Korea and the United States held the Iron Mace tabletop exercise at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul.
South Korea held the Hoguk field exercise, followed by the Freedom Flag combined air exercise, according to North Korea’s statement.
North Korea issued a statement condemning Iron Mace and pledging to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
- Exercise
- Iron Mace
- Exercise dates
- Sept. 29-Oct. 2
- Exercise location
- Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters, Seoul
- North Korean official
- Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Central Committee
- Other drills criticized
- Hoguk, Freedom Flag and Keen Sword
2 sources
What people are saying
the most hideous nuclear war rehearsal aimed at using nuclear weapons against the DPRK
how just the DPRK is in its efforts for ceaselessly bolstering up its nuclear forces capable of thoroughly coping with such nuclear threats
The reality teaches once again the underlying truth that strength is peace and peace is guaranteed only by strength
defends the sovereignty and security of the state and regional peace in a responsible manner