SEOUL, AUG 19 (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has strongly criticized ongoing South Korean-US military exercises, questioning their intent and pledging a swift increase in his country's nuclear capabilities to counter U.S. and South Korean perceived hostilities, according to state media on Tuesday. His remarks followed an inspection of his country’s most modern warship, reportedly equipped with systems capable of deploying nuclear weapons.
Kim’s visit to the western port city of Nampo on Monday coincided with the beginning of the annual large-scale Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises conducted by South Korean and US forces—a move aimed at enhancing both nations’ readiness against North Korea's burgeoning threats.
This 11-day joint military drill, described by the allies as defensive, includes around 21,000 soldiers, of which 18,000 are South Korean. The exercise involves computer-simulated command post operations and field training.
North Korea has historically criticized these exercises as precursors to invasions, utilizing them as grounds for its own military posturing and development of its nuclear program.
The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, subdivided by the Demilitarized Zone into North and South Korea.
During his visit to the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-tonne-class destroyer first showcased in April, Kim commented on the joint military exercises, saying these drills signify a hostile intent from the allies and their "will to ignite a war," as reported by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
He further claimed that the "nuclear element" in the exercises has intensified, necessitating “proactive and overwhelming” countermeasures from North Korea.
Kim was quoted by the KCNA as asserting that the "security environment around the DPRK is getting more serious day by day," necessitating drastic changes in military strategy and prompt nuclear expansion, referencing the nation's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
South Korea's new liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who has expressed interest in repairing relations and resuming dialogue with the North, did not immediately reply to Kim's statements.
The South Korean Defense Ministry stated it did not have any new evaluations regarding the North Korean destroyer's capabilities to share at the moment.
According to South Korean and US military officials, the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are focused on countering North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats and include training for deterring nuclear use and responding to missile attacks.
The exercises also draw lessons from recent global conflicts including Russia's war in Ukraine and tensions between Israel and Iran, tackling threats from drones, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks.
Kim and the Nuclear-Capable Navy
Kim has described the Choe Hyon destroyer as a vital step in broadening North Korea’s naval reach and preemptive strike capabilities with nuclear-armed munitions.
State media asserts that the destroyer, expected to become operational by next year, can manage diverse weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-naval missiles, as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
A second destroyer of this class was revealed in May but had a troubled launching at the northeastern port of Chongjin. This incident brought an angry response from Kim, who labeled the failure as “criminal.” North Korea claimed the ship, named Kang Kon, was relaunched successfully in June after repairs, though some external experts express doubt about its operational readiness.
On his visit to Nampo, Kim also assessed the progress on a third destroyer, scheduled for completion in October, as per KCNA.
Inspecting the Choe Hyon, Kim expressed satisfaction with the warship’s weapons testing progress and its integrated operational system, asserting that the navy’s modernization and transition to nuclear-capable forces are proceeding according to plan.
KCNA reported that Kim ordered performance tests to be conducted in October.
Rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been exacerbated in recent years as Kim has accelerated his nuclear military agenda and solidified ties with Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
His administration has consistently rejected appeals from Washington and Seoul to resume talks on reducing North Korea's nuclear and missile arsenals—a diplomatic effort that collapsed in 2019 following a failed summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
In his most recent outreach to North Korea, President Lee, who took office in June, announced intentions to reinstate a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at de-escalating border tensions. He urged North Korea to engage with the South’s peace-building initiatives and dialogues.
The 2018 agreement, forged during a fleeting phase of diplomacy between the Koreas, established buffer zones on land and sea and introduced no-fly zones beyond borders to prevent confrontations.
However, South Korea chose to suspend the deal in 2024 due to tensions surging from North Korea’s launch of balloons carrying propaganda across the border. This suspension followed North Korea’s declaration that it would no longer adhere to the agreement. (AP) GRS GRS GRS
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