North Korea Vows to Continue "Self-Defense" Efforts, Says KCNA
North Korea announced on Saturday that it will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities, accusing the United States and South Korea of heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that North Korea would increase efforts to counter perceived military threats from "hostile forces" and to maintain a regional power balance, citing over 20 alleged "war scenarios" staged by Washington and Seoul this year. Pyongyang claims these actions leave it no choice but to prevent the potential outbreak of nuclear conflict.
In a separate statement, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned recent criticism from the UN Secretary-General over North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), asserting the country’s right to "self-defense." The launch on Thursday featured North Korea's new Hwasong-19, a solid-fuel ICBM, marking the nation's highest missile trajectory to date, with tracking by South Korea, Japan, and U.S. military agencies noting its descent into the waters between Japan and Russia.
The missile launch closely followed North Korea's decision to dispatch soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict, an action met with strong condemnation from Washington and allied nations, including Japan, South Korea, and European leaders, as well as the United Nations. Meanwhile, on Friday, South Korean and U.S. forces conducted their first joint live-fire drills, deploying Global Hawk and Reaper drones equipped with GPS-guided munitions in simulated strikes against enemy targets, as confirmed by South Korea’s air force.
