N. Korea Vows to 'Control Wicked Enemies' with Stronger Nuclear Force, Protests S. Korea-US 'Iron Mace' Drill

North Korea reaffirmed its policy of strengthening its nuclear forces while protesting against South Korea and the United States for recently conducting an undisclosed tabletop exercise, "Iron Mace," which integrates nuclear and conventional capabilities.

Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, made the remarks in a statement titled "Our Defense Policy to Accelerate the Strengthening of Nuclear Deterrence Will Never Change in the Slightest."

Kim criticized that "'Iron Mace,' aimed at honing the integrated operation of U.S. nuclear forces and South Korean conventional forces, was conducted behind closed doors from September 29 to October 2" and later disclosed by South Korean media, calling the exercise "thoroughly the most heinous rehearsal of nuclear war aimed at using nuclear weapons against our state."

Kim continued, "This is an example that unfiltered demonstrates that the United States' ambition to crush us with nuclear weapons remains unchanged and that the level of danger is escalating day by day."

He also repeatedly took issue with other drills, including "Freedom Flag," a South Korea-U.S. combined air exercise, and "Keen Sword," a joint military exercise between the United States and Japan.

Kim emphasized that what these activities—conducted either publicly or behind closed doors—imply is clear: "It means that we must bind and control the wicked enemies with more powerful nuclear means."

The remarks are viewed as defining Iron Mace, the South Korea-U.S. exercise integrating nuclear and conventional forces, as a nuclear threat against Pyongyang and using it as a pretext to continue advancing its nuclear capabilities.

(Photo courtesy of the Air Force, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.