Kim Yo-jong threatens 'overwhelming' action against S. Korea, US

• Published date: 07 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

The North Korean leader's powerful sister warned, Tuesday, that the country is prepared to overwhelmingly respond to military activities by South Korea and the United States.

"The demonstrative military moves and all sorts of rhetoric by the U.S. and South Korea, which go so extremely frantic as not to be overlooked, undoubtedly provide the DPRK with conditions for being forced to do something to cope with them," Kim Yo-jong said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"As already clarified, we keep our eye on the restless military moves by the U.S. forces and the South Korean puppet military and are always on standby to take appropriate, quick and overwhelming action at any time according to our judgment."

She also added that the U.S. and South Korea should refrain from any further behaviors that aggravate the situation.

Her remarks came after Seoul and Washington carried out a combined air drill, Monday, involving a U.S. nuclear-capable B-52H strategic bomber. The U.S. also sent a B-1B strategic bomber for another drill, Friday.

Less than a week from now, the allies plan to hold the Freedom Shield exercise from March 13 to 23, during which they will also stage several combined field training exercises around the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang has responded strongly to the annual military exercise, denouncing it as a rehearsal for invasion.

Also referring to U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. John Aquilino, who was quoted in media recently saying that if North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Pacific, the U.S. will intercept it immediately, she describes the...