Korean Peninsula arms race

Joining a series of North Korean statements over upcoming South Korea-U.S. military drills, the supreme leader’s sister warned of taking a military response.

Amid the reinvigoration of the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, Pyongyang again framed the exercises as a direct threat to its regime.  

North Korea followed up on threatened counteractions to the U.S. and South Korea by launching an ICBM and firing two multiple rocket launchers. 

In a statement published in KCNA, North Korea warned the U.S. and South Korea of “unprecedentedly persistent and strong counteractions.” 

During a meeting presided over by leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea again showed its ceaseless efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.

After conducting a record number of missile launches in 2022, North Korea will narrow down the scope of its nuclear weapons development. 

Following the South Korean and U.S. militaries’ decision to extend their joint military air drill, North Korea launched another barrage of missiles and artillery on Thursday. 

Going nuclear will not help South Korea deal with the threat posed by its northern neighbor.

South Korean, U.S., and regional security would be improved through risk reduction measures – such as reconnecting North Korea to regional security processes.

The incoming Yoon administration will change Seoul’s overtures on North Korea issues. As a result, the arms race will likely be intensified in the coming years.