North Korea on Tuesday accused the United States, Japan and South Korea of creating “a new security crisis” in the Asia-Pacific through expanded military cooperation, warning it would respond with stronger deterrence measures.
In commentary carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a military commentator said the three countries were boosting their joint warfighting capabilities through large-scale military exercises, including the recent US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) drills.
Pyongyang said this year’s RIMPAC involved more than 30,000 personnel, over 30 warships, five submarines and nearly 190 aircraft, describing the exercise as a rehearsal for “aggression” and accusing Washington of pursuing military dominance in the region with support from Tokyo and Seoul.
The commentator also criticised recent US-South Korea air and logistics drills, plans to strengthen US command structures in Japan and the deployment of advanced US missile systems, warning that North Korea would respond to “a threat of a new level with a deterrence of a new level.”
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