24.03.2025 10:54
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un openly challenged the United States and South Korea, warning that a conflict on the Korean Peninsula could lead to a new world war. The statement included the phrase, "Having an incredible strike capability that no one can stop is the most certain way to prevent war and effectively deter all kinds of threats and blackmail."
The North Korean regime, which has increased security concerns on the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings with a series of statements, has once again challenged the United States and its allies. In a statement from the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was claimed that the joint Freedom Shield Exercise conducted by the U.S. and South Korea between March 10-20 was a "military provocation," stating, "This situation proves that this year's Freedom Shield Exercise is a provocative nuclear war rehearsal designed by the U.S. and its allies."
"THE ENEMY'S MILITARY INITIATIVES HAVE REACHED A DANGEROUS LEVEL"
In the statement noting that the U.S. and South Korea have expanded the scope of this year's Freedom Shield Exercise, it was stated, "An example of this can be seen in the special warfare training conducted between March 17-20, aimed at destroying the enemy's underground tunnel network and eliminating nuclear weapons." The statement argued that the Freedom Shield Exercise has turned into an increasingly aggressive war rehearsal each year, stating, "The military initiatives of enemy states to control North Korea through hegemonic power superiority have reached an even more dangerous level."
NORTH KOREA'S MESSAGE TO NATO
The statement claimed that the U.S. is attempting to establish military dominance not only over North Korea but throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region through military exercises, stating, "The continuity of military exercises on the Korean Peninsula, where the likelihood of a random spark turning into a destructive armed conflict is high, is making the regional situation uncontrollable." It was reminded that NATO member countries also participated in joint military exercises led by the U.S., including the Freedom Shield Exercise, warning that "This shows that a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula would not be limited to just North Korea and the U.S., but could inevitably lead to a new world war."
"THE MOST DETERRENT PATH IS STRIKE POWER"
The statement emphasized that the destabilizing regional security environment has forced North Korea to strengthen its defense capabilities, stating, "Having an incredible strike power that no one can stop is the most certain way to prevent war and effectively deter all kinds of threats and blackmail. Therefore, North Korea will steadily strengthen its defense capabilities in every category."
JOINT EXERCISE HAS DRAWN NORTH KOREA'S REACTION
The U.S. and South Korean armies had conducted the joint Freedom Shield Exercise aimed at strengthening the military intervention capabilities of the Washington-Seoul alliance. North Korea reacted strongly to the exercise, claiming that it increased regional tension and posed a security risk.