DPRK: "Ready To Take All Necessary Measures To Defend Sovereignty"

The North Korean Defence Ministry has released a bellicose statement accusing the US and the Republic of Korea of engaging in provocation by conducting joint military maneuvers.

• Comments from DPRK Def Min, per Reuters: North Korea accuses US and South Korea of "ceaseless and reckless military moves."
• DPRK Foreign Ministry says joint military drills show "US nuclear war scenario against DPRK has entered the final stage."
• DPRK: "North Korea is ready to take all necessary measures for defending its sovereignty."
• The US Air Force statement said in a statement yesterday that US and South Korean forces "will work together with the joint services to perform major air missions such as close air support, defensive counter air, and emergency air operations 24 hours a day during the training period" for five days.
• The joint military maneuvers are in response to a record number of missile tests from North Korea. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned last week that North Korea could be preparing to conduct a nuclear test at any time.