In response to an ongoing military drill organized by South Korea and the U.S., Pyongyang has said it “reserves the right to undertake a preemptive action for self-defense against the enemy, at a crucial time it deems necessary to defend itself.”

Although the South holds a similar drill annually, tensions have been hot in the region because of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. North and South Korea have a combined total of about 1.9 million troops, most stationed near the border.

BBC News:

According to the official KCNA news agency, Pyongyang described the drills as “an undisguised military threat” and a “war action”.

US and South Korean troops began the military exercises on Monday.

The drills are an annual event, and the North usually issues a strongly-worded statement against them.

But this year, tensions are higher than normal because of international anger at the North’s recent decision to test-fire a series of missiles.

Link

Your support matters…

Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.

You can help level the playing field. Become a member.

Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.

Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG