North Korea has dismissed the United States’ decision to scale back its annual military exercises with South Korea, saying the reduction does nothing to change what it considers the drills’ provocative nature.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, made the comment on Wednesday in Pyongyang’s first reaction to President Donald Trump’s decision to significantly reduce the exercises.
“We think it’s not worth making comments on that and we have no any interest in it,” Kim said in a statement carried by North Korean state media.
She added that the “provocative, aggressive nature” of the drills would remain unchanged despite reductions in their size and duration.
Her comments came hours after the United States and South Korea confirmed that they had significantly scaled back their major joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield.
The 11-day exercises began on Monday, but Trump had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills shortly before their commencement.
Trump reportedly cited his good relationship with Kim Jong Un as well as South Korea’s refusal to support his position on Iran.
The move was seen as a possible attempt by the US president to reopen dialogue with the North Korean leader, but Kim Yo Jong’s statement has cast doubt on the prospects of an immediate resumption of diplomacy.
South Korean officials said Trump’s decision came without prior notice, catching many in the country by surprise.
The unexpected reduction has also raised concerns in South Korea over the impact on the readiness of the two allies’ forces amid continued tensions with North Korea.
For Pyongyang, however, reducing the scale or duration of the exercises does not address its longstanding objection to the military drills, which it regards as preparations for an attack on North Korea.
