During the speech at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris labeled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a “tyrant and dictator,” prompting a strong response from Pyongyang.
North Korea has warned the United States of “serious consequences” following Washington’s decision to supply South Korea with advanced military hardware, including 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The U.S. and South Korea are currently engaged in a series of joint military exercises, dubbed “Ulchi Freedom Shield,” which include over 40 types of field drills designed to counter potential threats from North Korea, such as missile attacks, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks.
In a statement issued by the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry, North Korea condemned the joint drills and the recent arms sale, describing them as “recklessly provocative” actions that destabilize the regional security environment.
The statement also emphasized that North Korea would continue to pursue military activities necessary for self-defense in response to what it sees as growing threats from the U.S. and its allies.
Vice President Harris’ remarks at the convention, where she vowed not to “cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un,” have further escalated tensions between the two nations. Her comments came just hours before North Korea issued its warning, signaling the volatile nature of the ongoing conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
The joint U.S.-South Korean military drills have been a longstanding point of contention for North Korea, which views them as rehearsals for invasion.
This year’s exercises, which include a simulated nuclear attack scenario, come at a particularly sensitive time, as diplomatic relations between Washington and Pyongyang remain strained.
