Topline
North Korea on Wednesday denounced an ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military drill and warned it is prepared to “completely neutralize” threats from its “enemies” despite President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back the exercise and reported push to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Key Facts
A commentary published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency said North Korea is fully prepared to exercise its right to “self-defense” and will continue to do so until the “enemy states give up their reckless dream” of using force.
The commentary did not include any mention of Trump’s criticism of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise and his decision over the weekend to “substantially reduce” it.
North Korea instead argued that the ongoing drills are “extremely dangerous” and “quite different” from previous years.
Pyongyang also claimed that the drill was turning South Korea into a training ground and gathering place for aggressor forces from several nations and a “test ground of modern warfare.”
What Had Trump Said About Scaling Back The Drill?
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump expressed unhappiness with the U.S. military’s participation in joint exercises with South Korea. In the post, Trump touted his “very good relationship with Kim Jong Un” and complained about the high costs of these exercises. He also echoed Pyongyang’s sentiment, saying these drills were sending a signal that is “totally inappropriate and hostile,” and argued that North Korea has been “unthreatening and respectful” to the U.S. during his presidency. The president said it was too late to scrap the exercises but said he has ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” them. While insisting it was “unrelated,” Trump also used the post to take a jab at the South Korean president’s purported refusal to support him in the Iran war.
What We Know About Trump’s Push To Meet Kim?
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday evening that Trump is pushing the White House to arrange a meeting with Kim sometime this fall. The report notes that he wants to continue efforts made during the first term to convince the North Korean leader to give up his nuclear arsenal—something Kim has repeatedly said he will not do. While no plan has been set in motion, the report notes that Trump has told aides he wants to meet the North Korean leader in person on his next trip to Asia, expected in November. Speaking at the annual gathering of his Workers’ Party in February, Kim Jong Un said there was no reason North Korea “cannot get on well with the U.S.” But he added that such a thing would happen only if Washington respected North Korea’s status as a nuclear power and gave up efforts to denuclearize his country.
further reading
Trump Scales Back Korea Military Drill Touting ‘Good Relationship’ With Kim Jong Un—Seoul Responds (Forbes)