by Josh Smith
On December 20, 2022, U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets participate in a joint exercise with the South Korean Air Force at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, South Korea. via REUTERS, The Defence Ministry handout
Reuters, Feb. 2, 2018 – The United States and its allies’ joint drills, according to North Korea’s foreign ministry, have brought the situation to a “extreme red-line” and risk turning the peninsula into a “huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone.”
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According to the statement, which was published by the state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang was not open to talks as long as Washington continued its aggressive actions.
According to an unnamed ministry spokeswoman, “the military and political situation on the Korean peninsula and in the area has reached an extreme red-line due to the reckless militarily confrontational manoeuvres and unfriendly deeds of the U.S. and its vassal forces.”
The remark made reference to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s trip to Seoul this week. In order to fight North Korea’s weapons development and avert conflict, Austin and his South Korean counterpart committed on Tuesday to increasing military exercises and deploying
more “strategic assets,” such as aircraft carriers and long-range bombers.
The North Korean statement claimed, “This is a vivid expression of the dangerous U.S. scenario, which would convert the Korean peninsula into a massive war arsenal and a more critical war zone.”
The statement further stated that North Korea possesses effective counteraction tactics, including “the most overwhelming nuclear force,” and will reply in kind to any military actions by the United States.
As a result of the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953 and was terminated by an armistice rather than a peace treaty, more than 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea.
Ballistic missile tests, which are prohibited by resolutions of the UN Security Council, were performed by North Korea in record numbers last year. It was also seen reopening its nuclear weapons testing facility, which raised hopes for the nation’s first test since 2017.
According to South Korea’s Defense Ministry, the US and South Korea conducted a combined air exercise on Wednesday using B-1B heavy bombers, F-22 stealth fighters, and F-35 jets from both nations.
In a statement, the Defense Ministry claimed that the combined air exercises “this time show the U.S.’ will and capability to provide robust and credible extended deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.”
by Josh Smith
