World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
North Korea condemns South Korea-US air defence drills
North Korea condemned South Korea-US air defence drills in a statement carried by state media on Friday.
The exercises, called Freedom Flag, are being held at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.
The drills began on October 26 and are due to end November 6, according to South Korea's Defence Ministry.
They involve South Korean F-35A stealth jets and US Marine Corps F-35B fighters.
North Korea says the exercises are increasing military tensions and accused the allies of preparing for an attack.
South Korea and the United States describe the activity as air defence drills, while North Korea said it would maintain a strong deterrent against what it called threats.
The exercises are scheduled to continue until November 6.
North Korea’s Defence Ministry warned it would use force to deter threats amid South Korea-US air defence drills.
The ministry said the Freedom Flag exercise was increasing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean and US air forces have been holding the drills at Kunsan Air Base since Monday, with the exercise scheduled to continue until November 6.
The exercise involves South Korean F-35A and US Marine Corps F-35B stealth jets.
North Korea said there was no limit to its options for maintaining a strong deterrent posture.
- Who
- North Korea’s Defence Ministry issued the warning. South Korean and US air forces are conducting the drills.
- What
- North Korea threatened a forceful response to the joint Freedom Flag air defence exercise.
- When
- The ministry made its statement on October 30, 2026. The drills began on October 26 and are scheduled to run until November 6.
- Where
- The drills are being held at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.
- Why
- North Korea said the drills and other military activity by the United States and South Korea threatened its security and increased regional tensions.
North Korea
South Korea and the United States
Character of the drills
North Korea
North Korea called the exercise provocative and said it was directed against the country.
South Korea and the United States
The exercise is described as joint air defence drills.
Effect on regional security
North Korea
North Korea said the drills and military alliance expansion were increasing tensions and threatening its security.
South Korea and the United States
Not stated in the sources.
South Korean and US air forces began the Freedom Flag drills, according to the reports.
North Korea’s Defence Ministry issued a statement denouncing the drills and warning of a forceful response.
The joint drills are scheduled to end.
- Exercise
- Freedom Flag air defence drills
- Location
- Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
- Schedule
- October 26 to November 6
- South Korean aircraft
- F-35A stealth jets
- US aircraft
- Marine Corps F-35B stealth jets
- North Korean position
- No limit to its options for maintaining a strong deterrent posture
3 sources
What people are saying
There is no limit for the DPRK's option to maintain a strong deterrent posture capable of effectively coping with all threats posed by the military moves of the US and its vassal forces
Our armed forces will thoroughly deter threats by force and act only in a way that enemy states can understand
The most explicit intention to confront will inevitably be met with the most explicit will to respond