The North Korean Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the country would take all necessary measures to secure its autonomy, while further denouncing the “Key-resolve” and “Foal eagle,” U.S.-South Korea joint military drills.
Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying, “No one can guarantee that the U.S. and South Korea will not aim at us through these war exercises. Therefore, we will take every necessary measure to protect the autonomy of our country while the current threats made by the U.S. and its followers persist.”
The announcement was made in the form of an interview with KCNA reporters; a lower level of reporting than an editorial or statement as per the North Korean media custom.
It is the first overt criticism of the Obama administration observed in North Korean media releases.
North Korea has raised the level of its pressure by mobilizing the military, but defamation of the U.S. and the U.S. administration had been entirely refrained from.
However, this time the spokesperson for the North’s Foreign Ministry criticized both parties heavily, “Now, the U.S. administration intends to invade our autonomy by forming an illicit connection with the South Chosun puppet bellicose factions and uttering a constant rhetoric of interference in the domestic affairs of our country.” He additionally emphasized, “We have an iron will to strengthen our national defense by all available means, no matter who acts against us.”
