Kim Yo Jong condemns U.S.-South Korea drills as destabilising

Seoul, March 10 – Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticised joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States, saying the drills would harm regional stability and escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Her remarks came as Seoul and Washington proceeded with their annual joint military exercises, which the two allies say are designed to strengthen defensive readiness against potential threats from North Korea.

Kim Yo Jong described the military exercises as provocative and warned they could undermine security in the region. Statements from North Korean officials have frequently portrayed joint U.S.-South Korean military activities as rehearsals for invasion.

The criticism reflects longstanding opposition from Pyongyang to the annual exercises, which typically involve large-scale troop deployments and coordinated operations between the two militaries.

Officials in South Korea and the United States maintain that the drills are defensive in nature and aimed at ensuring readiness and coordination between allied forces.

The exercises form a central component of the long-standing military alliance between the two countries, which maintains a substantial U.S. troop presence on the Korean Peninsula.

Analysts say North Korea’s leadership remains focused on maintaining strong deterrence capabilities amid shifting geopolitical tensions. One analyst said Pyongyang is determined not to face the same fate as Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and its allies.

The comments come as regional tensions remain elevated amid global security concerns and ongoing military activity across several geopolitical flashpoints.