North Korea accuses US of creating 'new security crisis' in Asia-Pacific

North Korea has accused the United States, Japan, and South Korea of creating a ‘new security crisis’ in the Asia-Pacific through expanded military cooperation that could threaten regional stability. In an article published by the state-run KCNA news agency on Tuesday, a military observer said the three countries were working together to enhance combat capabilities through large-scale military exercises. One example is the recently US-led ‘Rim of the Pacific’ (RIMPAC) joint exercise, the world’s largest maritime and naval warfare drill. The author noted that this year’s RIMPAC involved 30,000 personnel, 30 warships, five combat vessels, and more than 190 fighter aircraft. He assessed that the exercise was held in preparation for ‘aggression’ and accused Washington of seeking to strengthen military dominance in the region with support from Tokyo and Seoul. It was emphasised that North Korea would respond to ‘threats at a new level with deterrence at a new level’. Separately, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry denied US allegations that Pyongyang poses a cyber threat. The ministry called the accusations ‘groundless’ and politically motivated. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson counter-accused the US of militarising cyberspace through cyber commands, joint exercises, and artificial intelligence initiatives. He said this demonstrates that the US, not North Korea, is responsible for escalating tensions in cyberspace. North Korea stressed it will continue to safeguard its national security and development interests against what it called ‘Western pressure’.