In a sharp response to joint military exercises involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan, North Korea has vowed to "more intensively" exercise its right to self-defence. This comes after trilateral air drills over the Korean Peninsula that included US B-1B bombers, a show of force that North Korea perceives as an escalating threat, as reported by Yonhap.

The drills, conducted on January 15, were in direct response to North Korea's recent missile launches, including hypersonic and short-range ballistic missiles. North Korea's foreign ministry has expressed "serious concern" over the actions of the US and its allies, accusing them of provoking heightened instability in the region.

A ministry spokesperson reiterated that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will continue to assert its sovereignty and security interests with increasing intensity. The statement further warned that North Korea would pursue its "toughest counteraction strategy" in a bid to deter any further military provocations from its adversaries.

The trilateral exercise, involving the B-1B bombers, aims to enhance the defensive capabilities of the US, South Korea, and Japan in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. Tensions have been mounting in recent weeks, with North Korea conducting a hypersonic missile test on January 6, followed by multiple short-range ballistic missile launches just days later. These actions have raised concerns about further escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea's warning underscores the fragile security dynamics of the region, as the nation intensifies its stance against what it views as foreign provocations. The situation remains highly volatile, with both military drills and missile launches adding to the uncertainty surrounding the peninsula’s future.

As military activities continue, the region faces growing uncertainty, and North Korea's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities is set to remain a focal point of international security concerns.