Sister of North Korean leader Kim calls South Korea's live-fire drills 'suicidal hysteria'

SUMMARY

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has criticized South Korea's recent live-fire drills near the border, calling them 'suicidal hysteria.' She has threatened unspecified military steps if further provoked. South Korea resumed the exercises after suspending a 2018 agreement with North Korea aimed at easing military tensions. Kim Yo Jong accused South Korea's conservative government of deliberately escalating tensions to escape a domestic political crisis. South Korea's Defense Ministry has stated that it will continue its live-fire drills as scheduled. North Korea has been engaged in a series of weapons tests since 2022, and South Korea fully suspended the 2018 inter-Korean military pact in response to North Korea's provocative actions. North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles, with one possibly flying abnormally, following the end of a joint military drill by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The missiles were launched in a northeasterly direction from southeastern North Korea, with the first missile flying 370 miles and the second 75 miles. The second missile suffered a possible abnormal flight during the initial stage. The launches came after the three countries ended their trilateral drills, which aimed to improve joint ballistic-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surveillance. North Korea had strongly denounced the drill, calling it a threat to regional peace. This was North Korea's first weapons firing in five days, following a previous multiwarhead missile test. The country has also engaged in other provocative actions, such as sending trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea and striking a defense pact with Russia. Additionally, North Korea opened a key ruling party meeting to discuss issues related to enhancing Korean-style socialism.

REFERENCES

• Sister of North Korean leader Kim calls South Korea's live-fire drills 'suicidal hysteria'(original source)
• North Korea fires two missiles after end of joint drills by U.S., South Korea and Japan(original source)
• North Korea test-launches 2 ballistic missiles, South Korea says(original source)
• North Korea test-launches 2 ballistic missiles, after end of new US-South Korea-Japan drill(original source)
• North Korea launches ballistic missile off east coast, Seoul says(original source)
• North Korea fires missiles after South Korea-US-Japan drill – DW – 07/01/2024(original source)