North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and his sister Kim Yo-jong (via Reuters)

North Korea warned tuesday United States and its allies that it would consider as “a clear declaration of war” the interception of the test missiles it repeatedly launches over the Pacific Ocean.

The United States and South Korea have intensified their defense cooperation and strengthened their joint maneuvers against this isolated nuclear-capable country, which has increased its missile tests in recent months.

Pyongyang alleges its nuclear and weapons programs are in self-defense and attacks military exercises in Washington and Seoul, which it understands as preparations for a possible invasion.

“This would be seen as a clear declaration of war against the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) in the event of a military response such as the interception of our strategic weapons tests.“, he said in a press release Kim Yo-youngthe powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un.

Kim Yo Jong is the current first deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the sister of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un (RYU SEUNG-IL / ZUMA PRESS / CONTACTOPHOTO)
Kim Yo Jong is the current first deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the sister of the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un (RYU SEUNG-IL / ZUMA PRESS / CONTACTOPHOTO)

“The Pacific Ocean is not the domain of the United States or Japan,” he continued in his statement, published by the official KCNA news agency.

North Korea “is still ready to take appropriate, swift and overwhelming action“, he added.

Since March 13, the US, South Korean militaries to hold largest joint drills in five years for 10 dayscalled “Shield of Liberty”.

In addition, last Friday, these two allied countries held a few aerial maneuvers which included the participation of the American B-52 bomber, which has nuclear capability.

Exercises between American and South Korean ships (via Reuters)
Exercises between American and South Korean ships (via Reuters)

In another statement on Tuesday, the North Korean Foreign Ministry has accused Washington of aggravating tensions between the two countries when organizing these aerial maneuvers. “Despite our repeated warnings, the United States continues to deliberately escalate the situation,” the ministry said in a statement released by KCNA and dated Monday.

The joint air drills “clearly show that the plan to use nuclear weapons against the DPRK is proceeding at the pace of a real war”, he added.

Pyongyang last week urged the United Nations to call for an end to military exercises by Washington and Seoul in the region and defended its own nuclear arsenal as “the surest way” to ensure the balance of power in the region. region.

(With information from AFP)

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