North Korea condemned the joint Freedom Shield Exercise that the US and South Korea will conduct in the region, warning that “This is a dangerous and provocative action that can turn the tension between the two parties into a real war with a single accidental shot.” The statement emphasized that measures would be increased against the threats from the US, stating that “We will double our responsible efforts to develop nuclear weapons to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.”

North Korea strongly reacted to the joint Freedom Shield Exercise announced by the US and South Korea today.

In a written statement from the North Korean Foreign Ministry, the insistence of the US and South Korea on organizing extensive joint military exercises despite warnings from Pyongyang was condemned, stating that “The underlying motive behind these war exercises traditionally staged by the US and South Korea is a persistent and unchanging invasion ambition seeking the collapse of our regime.”

The statement claimed that the Freedom Shield Exercise also increased the risk of conflict, warning, “This is a dangerous and provocative action that can turn the tension between the two parties into a real war with a single accidental shot.” It was stated that “MILITARY TENSION REACHED A BREAKING POINT” and the declaration defended the continuation of the US’s anti-North Korea policies following a change in government, stating that “The political and military tension between the US and North Korea has reached a breaking point due to the crazy war games aimed at our country, becoming increasingly dangerous.” The statement highlighted that the US and South Korea expanded the scope of this year’s Freedom Shield Exercise, stating that “It is clear that the US is persistently conducting large-scale war exercises, including the Freedom Shield, to create an unsustainable loop of tension and make the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region unmanageable.”

It was emphasized that the US’s actions heightened the legitimate security concerns of regional countries, stating, “The fact that the US-led bilateral and multilateral exercises resemble a real war highlights the validity of our country’s policy of deterring nuclear war threats from enemies.”

In the statement, it was reminded that North Korea would continue its strategic deterrence activities in response to the military demonstrations by the US, warning, “As long as the US continues its hostile policy against North Korea, it will face an even greater security threat.” Stressing that preventive measures against US threats to North Korea would be intensified, it was stated that “We will double our responsible efforts to develop nuclear weapons to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.” The exercise is set to begin today, as announced by the US military that the joint Freedom Shield Exercise with South Korea will take place between March 10-21, 2025. It was emphasized that the exercise aimed to strengthen the military intervention capabilities of the Washington-Seoul alliance. North Korea previously argued in statements that the exercise escalated regional tensions.