North Korea warns of stronger action over South's drills with US, Japan / Photo: Handout - South Korean Defence Ministry/AFP/File
-
Taliban says 'no oppression' of Afghan women after dress crackdown
-
Counter-terror police take lead of probe into UK politician's killing
-
Commander of Ukraine's French-trained brigade arrested in murder probe
-
'Outstanding' India thrash England in historic first women's Test at Lord's
-
Slaven Bilic returns as Croatia coach
-
UK unveils plan to ban Iran Revolutionary Guards: ministry
-
India thrash England in historic first women's Test at Lord's
-
Thai bandmates recount chaos of deadly Bangkok bar fire
-
Nigeria oil output hits six-year high, above OPEC target
-
MEXC Expands Ondo Tokenized Stock Lineup With SK Hynix and Four Other Trading Pairs
-
Thailand probes Bangkok bar fire that killed 28
-
France's Macron says Europe will defend freedom at all costs
-
Oil prices surge on US-Iran attacks
-
‘Almost like gold’: water debate rages on Italy’s Aeolian Islands
-
Christopher Nolan returns with "The Odyssey" blockbuster
-
De Beers to pause work at S.Africa's largest diamond mine
-
Only 'superstars' win Tour de France stages: French champ
-
Thailand probes Bangkok bar fire that killed 27
-
Young fly-half Moyo to debut for Springboks against Wales
-
Middle East rocked by heaviest attacks since Iran-US ceasefire
-
MSF slams 'deliberate' Russian destruction of Ukraine's health system
-
EU, UK hit Russia with joint sanctions over cyber attacks
-
Kenya's goons: a world of political violence and desperation
-
EU to limit children's access to social media -- gradually
-
Zverev second in ATP rankings behind Sinner after Wimbledon
-
Mongolia's child jockeys ready to race in annual festival
-
Noskova moves into WTA Top 10 after Wimbledon triumph
-
Thailand probes Bangkok bar fire that killed 27, injured dozens
-
Planes fight fire in Fontainebleau forest near Paris
-
Oil prices spike on fresh US-Iran attacks, tech hammers on stocks again
-
'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill dies aged 78
-
Mulling ban, EU gets expert verdict on social media for children
-
US hits Iran as Gulf states targeted in flareup over Hormuz
-
Huge fire in Bangkok bar kills at least 27
-
Oil prices spike on fresh US-Iran attacks, tech weighs on stocks again
-
'Indispensable' Xiaohongshu app fuels Chinese tourism
-
Spaniard's rare skin disorder ups danger of summer heat
-
NFL seeks to break into Africa with Kenya competition
-
Protected but deported anyway, as Trump goes after 'dreamers'
-
Yamal aims to steal Mbappe's World Cup thunder in semi-final showdown
-
Dodgers face Ohtani knee issues in MLB three-peat bid
-
Fisk outlasts Pendrith in playoff to win PGA Tour Louisville title
-
Warriors forward Green details LeBron recruiting pitch
-
US strikes Iran as Gulf states targeted in flareup over Hormuz
-
Massive fire in Bangkok bar kills at least 27
-
'Final before final': France face Spain in World Cup blockbuster
-
Zverev vows to chase down Wimbledon champion Sinner in trophy charge
-
England's Ecclestone glad to get 'one-up' on brother with five-wicket Lord's haul
-
Five classic France v Spain clashes before World Cup semi-final
-
Major fire rages in Fontainebleau forest near Paris
North Korea warns of stronger action over South's drills with US, Japan
North Korea condemned on Friday joint military drills between South Korea, Japan and the United States held this week, threatening to respond by exercising its right to self-defence "more intensively".
The trilateral exercise was held after Pyongyang launched in recent weeks what it claimed was a new hypersonic missile system and short-range ballistic missiles, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to office on Monday.
Pyongyang's remarks came after the allies staged joint air drills, involving two US B-1B heavy bombers over the Korean peninsula on Wednesday.
North Korea's foreign ministry expressed "serious concern over the provocations" by South Korea, Japan and the United States, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday.
The joint drills "clarifies once again" the North's need to exercise its sovereign rights and security interests "more intensively", it added.
North Korea "will strongly deter any military provocation planned by the hostile forces and firmly defend the security interests of the state", the ministry added, according to KCNA.
Such joint military exercises regularly infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which decries them as rehearsals for invasion.
Experts said the recent launches by the North, which attacked its neighbour in 1950, triggering the Korean War, could be a message to Trump's incoming administration.
Trump's nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, recently labelled North Korea as a "nuclear power" in a statement submitted to a Senate panel, according to reports.
Responding to Hegseth's alleged comments, South Korea's defence ministry said Thursday that Pyongyang's status as a nuclear power "cannot be recognised" and that it will work with the United States to denuclearise the North.
Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year in violation of UN sanctions.
US and South Korean intelligence also have said that North Korea started in October to send thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine and has since suffered hundreds of casualties.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South Korea last week when the North launched the alleged hypersonic missile.
He said there was evidence Russia was stepping up support for North Korea as a reward for its help fighting Ukraine, including help on advanced space and satellite technology.
K.AbuTaha--SF-PST
