North Korea mentions the “realistic” possibility of nuclear conflict

Despite repeated warnings, Pyongyang accused Seoul and Washington of continuing military provocations.

During the most recent round of military drills between the United States and South Korea, North Korea issued a “realistic” threat of nuclear war warning and anticipated a “catastrophic escalation” in the region.

The recent joint air drills between Washington and Seoul, which at least one US nuclear-capable B-52 bomber participated in, were denounced by the North Korean Foreign Ministry in a statement released on Tuesday. The ministry claimed that the exercises only increased the likelihood of conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

“The risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula is shifting from an imaginary stage to a realistic stage due to the irresponsible actions of the United States and South Korea, which are concentrating only on belligerent armed demonstrations thick with gunpowder, contrary to the international community’s desire for tension relief and political stability,” the ministry said, adding that the drills “clearly” show the US is preparing for war with the DPRK.

Another joint combat practise of a similar nature, featuring a US B-1B strategic bomber, was launched last Friday. A third exercise simulating the US and South Korean response to a DPRK missile attack will take place the following week. Moreover, beginning on March 13, the two allies will carry out the largest drills in the region in five years, which will continue for 11 days.

The ministry stated, “The large-scale US-South Korean joint military drill that will start in a few days” are of a “aggressive nature,” and they “will result in a disastrous escalation.”

An agreement known as a “freeze for freeze” was reached during the administration of former US President Donald Trump, which called for a suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea in exchange for a cessation of Pyongyang’s nuclear tests. However, since President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, tensions have risen. The DPRK has regularly denounced US-South Korean military action as a buildup to an attack on the North and last year saw a record number of North Korean missile tests, including several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The missile tests have continued into 2023, with North Korea continuing to launch missiles into the ocean as Washington and Seoul continue their joint military exercises.