North Korea Slams US-South Korea Drills, Vows Stronger Nuclear Deterrence

North Korea on Friday condemned upcoming U.S.-South Korea military drills, describing this year’s exercises as more provocative than those held in 2025 and warning of stronger measures to counter what it sees as growing regional security threats.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said military cooperation among the United States, South Korea and Japan is increasingly developing into a “nuclear alliance,” according to state media KCNA. Pyongyang warned that it would respond to what it called a new level of military threat with a corresponding level of deterrence.

South Korea and the United States are scheduled to hold their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) joint military exercises from August 17 to 27. The drills will include training designed to address drones, GPS disruptions and cyberattacks as the allies adjust their defense capabilities in response to North Korea’s evolving military capabilities.

North Korea has repeatedly criticized U.S.-South Korea military exercises, arguing that the drills are provocative and contribute to rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Washington and Seoul, meanwhile, have maintained that their joint exercises are defensive in nature.

In a separate commentary published Friday, KCNA said North Korea would continue strengthening its nuclear deterrence. The state media outlet accused the United States of pursuing a nuclear strategy that lowers the threshold for the potential use of nuclear weapons and risks pushing global security closer to nuclear conflict.

The commentary also pointed to U.S. nuclear cooperation with South Korea and Washington’s extended-deterrence commitments to Japan. North Korea claimed these policies could make the Korean Peninsula a priority target under the alleged U.S. strategy.

The latest statements come as tensions remain elevated over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and expanding military cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. Pyongyang’s warnings suggest the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises could trigger another round of heightened rhetoric and military signaling on the Korean Peninsula.