After Joint Drills, Kim’s Sis Warns of ‘Terrible Consequences’
A North Korean military guard post, top, and a South Korean post, bottom, are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on Feb. 26. (AP photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized the United States and South Korea on Tuesday for moving forward with their annual joint military exercises during what she described as a dangerous moment for global security. She warned that any threat to North Korea’s safety would bring “terrible consequences.”
Kim Yo Jong’s statement came one day after the allies launched the 11-day “Freedom Shield” exercise involving thousands of troops. The drills are taking place as the United States is also engaged in an escalating conflict in the Middle East. Without directly mentioning the war involving Iran, Kim said the U.S.–South Korea exercises weaken regional stability at a time when the global security system is “collapsing rapidly” and wars are breaking out in multiple regions because of what she called reckless actions by international actors.
Freedom Shield is one of two annual command-post exercises conducted by the U.S. and South Korean militaries. The drills are largely computer-simulated and are meant to test the allies’ joint operational capabilities while incorporating new war scenarios and emerging security threats.
Referencing North Korea’s expanding nuclear program, Kim Yo Jong said the country will continue strengthening what she described as its “destructive power” to counter outside threats. She added that North Korea will “constantly and repeatedly convince the enemies of our war deterrence and its fatality.”
North Korea has long claimed that joint military drills between the United States and South Korea are rehearsals for an invasion, and it has frequently used them as justification for conducting its own weapons tests or military demonstrations. The U.S. and South Korea maintain that the exercises are defensive.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged that some U.S. air defense weapons stationed in South Korea could be relocated, though he said such changes would not seriously weaken defenses against North Korea. His comments came after media reports suggested the United States might move Patriot missile defense systems and other equipment from South Korea to support operations in the Middle East.
“Our government has expressed opposition to such moves,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting, “but it is also an undeniable reality that we cannot fully control the situation according to our wishes.”
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