North Korean media accused the upcoming US-South Korea military drills of infringing on North Korea's sovereignty and interests and aggravating the regional security situation.
South Korean soldiers parachute from an MC-130 aircraft during the Freedom Shield exercise in March 2024.
Yonhap news agency reported on March 7 that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned that South Korea and the United States will pay a "terrible price" for their joint military exercises next week, saying the drills would soon bring a "storm" that would undermine the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The warning came a day after the two countries announced that the Freedom Shield exercise would begin on March 10 and last 11 days, including computer-based and field exercises.
In an editorial, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused Seoul and Washington of continuing to infringe upon North Korea's sovereignty and interests and worsening the regional security situation.
"The Freedom Shield has undergone the worst adjustments repeatedly, fully equipped with malicious signs. This will soon bring a storm that will aggravate the security situation on the Korean Peninsula," the article said.
Citing a plan by Seoul and Washington to increase the number of large-scale field exercises to 16 this year from 10 last year, North Korea said the enemy's "war mania" was growing dangerously.
"The enemy will pay dearly for its foolish and reckless war drills, requiring us to take fair measures as a sovereign state for self-defense and the toughest threatening action," KCNA said.
South Korea and the United States have always maintained that their exercises are defensive in nature.
Regarding the mistaken bombing in South Korea, the country's Ministry of Defense said on March 7 that a total of 29 people, including 15 civilians, were injured.
On March 6, two KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training ground in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, injuring many people and causing damage to buildings.
A South Korean Air Force official, citing a preliminary investigation, said pilot error led to the unintended bombing as one of the pilots entered the wrong target coordinates before takeoff. The incident is under investigation.
In a related development, the US Forces Korea (USFK) agreed on March 7 to stop all live-fire training activities following the above incident.
"The US and Republic of Korea militaries have agreed to suspend all live-fire training until further notice," according to USFK spokesman Ryan Donald.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trieu-tien-canh-bao-my-va-han-quoc-phai-tra-gia-khung-khiep-185250307094255493.htm
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