Description: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to the DPRK’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Ministry of Defense has criticized the joint military exercises conducted by the US, South Korea and Japan in recent weeks. He also stated that North Korea’s response would be to double down on development of their nuclear forces and capabilities as the trilateral cooperation endangered the security situation in the region. Kim also commented on North Korea’s continued support for the Russian military efforts against Ukraine and pledged more troops to the frontline in addition to the 11,000 reportedly deployed already.
Impact: Recent joint military exercises have solicited a strict and direct response from North Korea which now threatens to enhance nuclear force capacities. US President Donald Trump has stated his intention on developing bilateral relations with North Korea despite US military exercises with allies South Korea and Japan. The recent meeting between Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba only exacerbated the North Korean response as tensions are on the prolonged high in the region. North Korea so far has used its nuclear arsenal in conventional deterrent practices and further development would only inflate the already hostile environment in the region. The US and its allies could continue with their joint exercises as their aim is to bolster presence and control in the turbulent region of the Indo – Pacific.