Pyongyang:North Korea has strongly criticized the ongoing combined air drills conducted by South Korea and the United States, pledging to deter the activities with force, as reported by Pyongyang's state media.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a spokesperson from North Korea's defense ministry issued a statement in response to the launch of the biannual Freedom Flag exercise by Seoul and Washington on Monday. The exercise is set to run for two weeks.
The statement, reported by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), described the Freedom Flag exercise as a "provocative large-scale joint air drill" initiated on October 26, involving significant air forces from the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK), which is South Korea's official name. North Korea claims the drills, which include the Army, Navy, and Marines as well as air refueling tankers and attack drones, have a "military purpose" contrary to the defensive nature claimed by the allies.
The North Korean armed forces have vowed to "thoroughly deter threats with force" and to act in a manner that the enemy states can understand. Historically, North Korea has viewed these joint exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, while South Korea and the U.S. maintain that the drills are defensive.
The Freedom Flag exercise aims to enhance the interoperability of the allied forces, bolster response capabilities, and contribute to regional stability.