North Korea Condemns Joint Military Drills by US, Japan, and South Korea as "Dangerous

North Korea Slams "Dangerous" Drills by US, Japan, South Korea PYONGYANG, North Korea - In a strongly worded statement published on Sunday, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned upcoming joint military exercises between the United States, Japan, and South Korea, calling them "dangerous" and a "reckless show of strength." The drills, called the Freedom Edge, are set to begin on Monday off South Korea's Jeju Island and will last through Friday. The exercises combine naval, air, and missile defense exercises, which Seoul and Washington say are purely defensive in nature. "This is a clear provocation by the United States and its allies," Kim Yo Jong said in the statement. "These drills are a rehearsal for invasion and a threat to our national security." The joint military exercises have been a point of contention between North Korea and its neighbors for years, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul and Washington of using them as an excuse to launch a preemptive strike. However, South Korean officials say the drills are necessary to maintain regional stability and deter potential threats from North Korea. "These exercises are purely defensive in nature and are designed to enhance our military readiness," said a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Defense. The Freedom Edge exercises come at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea conducting several high-profile missile tests in recent months. The drills also coincide with a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Seoul, where he is expected to discuss ways to improve relations between Washington and Pyongyang. Background: Joint military exercises between the United States, Japan, and South Korea have been a regular occurrence for years, but North Korea has traditionally criticized them as rehearsals for invasion. In 2017, Pyongyang responded to large-scale drills by firing a ballistic missile over Japan, prompting widespread condemnation from the international community. Implications: The latest statement from Kim Yo Jong highlights the ongoing tensions between North Korea and its neighbors, with implications for regional stability and global security. As the Freedom Edge exercises get underway, experts warn that any miscalculation or misstep could lead to a catastrophic conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Next Developments: The Freedom Edge drills are set to continue through Friday, with observers closely watching for any signs of escalation from North Korea. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang remain ongoing, with Blinken's visit to Seoul seen as an opportunity to make progress on denuclearization talks. Associated Press contributed to this report *Reporting by Aljazeera.*