North Korea’s media accused South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol of putting his country at risk of nuclear war with his policies toward the North. The criticism came from a report by the Institute of Enemy State Studies and shared by the KCNA news agency.
The report condemned Yoon for making “reckless remarks” about war, breaking parts of an agreement with North Korea, collaborating on nuclear war plans with the U.S., and strengthening ties with Japan and NATO. It claimed that these actions forced North Korea to increase its nuclear weapons stockpile rapidly.
Yoon, a conservative leader, has taken a strong stance against North Korea, which has continued to develop its nuclear arsenal despite U.N. sanctions. His government blames North Korea for heightening tensions with missile tests and providing support to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Ties between the two Koreas have deteriorated, with North Korea labeling the South as a hostile enemy. Recent actions include destroying parts of inter-Korean infrastructure and building trenches along former crossings.
Despite the 1950-53 Korean War ending in an armistice, the two Koreas remain technically at war. Tensions have escalated over balloon launches from North Korea, which it says are responses to similar actions by South Korean activists.
Additionally, the report highlighted Yoon’s domestic challenges, including scandals involving his wife that have lowered his approval ratings.
In response to North Korea’s recent missile tests, the U.S. has deployed B-1B bombers for joint drills with South Korea and Japan, emphasizing their commitment to addressing nuclear threats through cooperation. This marks the second joint air exercise this year, showing ongoing collaboration against North Korea’s military actions.
