North Korea has sharply criticized what it described as South Korea’s “deceptive appeasement offensive,” accusing Seoul of pretending to pursue reconciliation while simultaneously joining the United States in military exercises aimed at undermining Pyongyang’s defenses. The remarks came from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim Yo Jong dismissed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s calls for improved relations as “impossible,” warning that the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise—which began Monday and runs for 11 days—reveals Seoul and Washington’s intent to “eliminate” North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities early and extend potential attacks deep into its territory. The drills, which also include a four-day civil defense component mobilizing some 580,000 civilians, feature nationwide anti-air raid exercises to bolster readiness.
Declaring that South Korea “cannot be a diplomatic partner,” Kim stated that Seoul would not be granted any role in shaping future regional diplomacy. Her comments followed similar statements from Kim Jong Un a day earlier, where he condemned the joint drills as proof of US and South Korean intent to “ignite a war.” Despite this, President Lee insisted Monday that his government will respect North Korea’s system, reject unification by “absorption,” and pursue gradual steps to restore the 2018 military agreement designed to ease border tensions.
