North Korea's Workers' Party Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong criticized South Korea as being in a "pitiful plight" and facing just retributions regarding the early conclusion of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, tomorrow (August 21).

In a press statement released today (August 20), Kim made the remarks, claiming that it is the "destiny of a puppet army" that cannot utter a single word of protest even if drills are scaled back "without bilateral coordination and solely according to the unilateral directive of the U.S. commander-in-chief."

Kim sneered at President Lee Jae-myung's social media post expressing respect for Trump, calling it "fawning with cringeworthy talk."

Kim further claimed that President Lee has shown "contradictory words and actions that differ inside and out" by mentioning "self-reliant national defense and the securing of independent military power," arguing that this "vividly shows South Korea's anxious and contradictory psychology."

She also mentioned President Lee Jae-myung by name, omitting the title of president.

Kim added, "The world is witnessing the undeniable reality before our eyes that U.S. security support is no longer free," and noted, "I can't help but think it might be better to seek the answer to survival on this occasion."

(Photo: Capture from the Rodong Sinmun homepage, Yonhap News)