North Korea condemned the joint South Korean-U.S. military exercises and the U.S.-Japanese drills, calling them a show of force and vowing to strengthen its defense capabilities in response.
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In an English-language commentary published by North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, Pyongyang warned against the application of a "force-based reciprocity principle," arguing that the military actions of the three countries threaten its security interests and undermine strategic stability in the region.
The comment came a day after the start of the annual Hoguk field exercises in South Korea with the participation of US forces, and the start of the Sharp Sword maneuvers between the United States and Japan.
Pyongyang accused Seoul of failing to conceal the "aggressive and provocative nature" of the drills, and said that escalating threats called for strengthening deterrence, and that "repeated provocations" would be met with a swift response.
It affirmed that it will continue to develop, enhance, and demonstrate its war deterrence capabilities in defense of its sovereignty within the framework of its right to self-defense.
The Hoogokt exercises are scheduled to continue until October 30, with the participation of US forces stationed in South Korea, with the aim of enhancing interoperability between the forces of the two countries, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.