North Korea threatens retaliatory action over South Korea-U.S. and U.S.-Japan drills

North Korea issued a harsh critique of the joint South Korea-U.S. Hogug field exercise and the separate U.S.-Japan “Keen Sword” drills, labeling them as aggressive displays by hostile forces. The English-language commentary from the Korean Central News Agency asserted that the DPRK will employ a "tit-for-tat principle based on strong power" as a countermeasure. It emphasized that one outlet security environment, marked by repeated U.S.-Japan-ROK provocations, justifies continued enhancement of North Korea's self-defensive deterrent.

The statement warned that any further escalation would meet a prompt response involving stronger capabilities. The Hoguk exercise, involving U.S. Forces Korea, is scheduled to continue through the end of October, while the U.S. and Japan have launched large-scale maneuvers under the "Keen Sword" banner. The North reaffirmed its resolve to defend sovereignty through ongoing upgrades and demonstrations of its war deterrent.