North Korea calls US-South Korea drills 'rehearsal for aggressive war', threatens self-defence

North Korea's Foreign Ministry on Friday (August 14, 2026) issued a strongly worded statement condemning upcoming joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea, calling them a "rehearsal for an aggressive war" and warning that Pyongyang would exercise its right to legitimate self-defence.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are scheduled to begin on Monday (August 17, 2026). The drills, which combine computer-simulated command post training with field exercises, are intended to strengthen the allies' readiness against North Korean threats, according to the US and South Korean militaries. Both countries have described the exercises as defensive in nature and said their scope is similar to that of previous years.

In its statement, carried by state media, North Korea's Foreign Ministry said the exercises would be of a "more serious provocative nature and dangerousness than last year" and would involve all military assets and war-fighting modes of the US and South Korea. The ministry asserted that the drills are triggering a different level of instability in the region, though it did not provide specific evidence for that claim. The US and South Korea have not confirmed the North's description of the exercises.

"It is our consistent principle of ensuring security to respond to a new level of a threat with a new level of a deterrent," the statement said. North Korea "will more clearly express its stance on the enemies to cope with any threats and challenges through the responsible and decisive exercise of the right to legitimate self-defence."

The North Korean statement did not specify what actions it would take in response to the drills. In the past, however, the term 'self-defence' has been used to justify weapons launches and other military demonstrations.

The warning comes after South Korea's military detected two ballistic missile launches off North Korea's east coast in the past week. North Korea has not made any official comment on those launches. External analysts assess that they were likely meant to protest the allies' drills or to upgrade weapons systems.

North Korea has a long history of using the US-South Korea exercises as a pretext to ramp up its weapons testing activities. Analysts say this pattern often serves to expand the country's nuclear and missile arsenals while promoting public support for leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea has consistently justified its weapons development as a necessary measure for self-defence against perceived hostility from the United States and its allies. Its nuclear and missile programmes, however, are prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions. The US and South Korea have called on North Korea to abandon these programmes and return to diplomacy, but Pyongyang has rejected such overtures, viewing the drills as a threat.

Mr. Kim has not responded to offers from Washington and Seoul to resume dialogue since his summitry with then-US President Donald Trump broke down in 2019. He has since concentrated on advancing North Korea's nuclear programme, which experts believe he intends to use as leverage to secure greater concessions, including substantial sanctions relief.

In recent years, Mr. Kim has also deepened diplomatic engagement with Russia. North Korea has supplied troops and ammunition to support Russia's war in Ukraine, in exchange for economic and military assistance. Mr. Kim has also moved to strengthen ties with China, North Korea's largest trading partner.

The latest statement from Pyongyang signals that additional weapons tests could take place in the coming days. Analysts say the regime's pattern of behaviour suggests it will continue to use external perceived threats to justify its arms development, even as diplomatic channels remain closed.