North Korea has criticised joint air defence exercises by South Korea and the United States, accusing the two allies of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
In a statement published by state news agency KCNA on Friday, North Korea’s Defence Ministry warned that the drills could prompt Pyongyang to strengthen its military deterrence capabilities.
“There is no limit to the DPRK’s options for maintaining a strong deterrent posture capable of effectively coping with all threats posed by the military actions of the US and its vassal forces,” the ministry’s spokesperson said, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
READ ALSO: North Korea Fires Missiles After South Korea’s Hypersonic Test
South Korean and US air forces began the joint Freedom Flag air defence exercises on Monday at Kunsan Air Base. The drills are scheduled to continue until November 6, according to South Korea’s Defence Ministry.
The exercises involve stealth fighter jets, including South Korea’s F-35A and the US Marine Corps’ F-35B supersonic fighter aircraft.
