ROK Navy Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Wang Geon, right, and Daegu-class frigate ROKS Daejeon, left, sail in formation alongside the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey during the Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) with the ROK Navy November 18, 2025 Petty Officer 2nd Class Oscar Diaz/US Navy
Naval

US-South Korea military drills aim to deter North Korea, KCNA says

Reuters

South Korea's recent joint military drills with the United States are aimed at deterring North Korea, the north's state media, KCNA, said on Friday.

The allies staged various exercises, including a naval drill in waters near the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek where they mobilised weapons like a guided missile destroyer and anti-submarine helicopters, KCNA said.

The US also deployed F-16 fighters at air bases in South Korea and Japan, KCNA said, adding that the drill is aimed at deterring North Korea and regional countries "by force".

KCNA said it is the US that is, "threatening the peace and stability and destroying the strategic security balance."

South Korea President Lee Jae Myung said earlier this week that "it would be better" for the allies to cease joint military drills when a firm peace regime is established.

It has been more than a week since South Korea proposed talks with North Korea to discuss drawing up a clear boundary along the military demarcation line (MDL) to prevent armed clashes along the border.

North Korea has not responded or reacted to the proposal.

"The US' habitual and reckless military moves in disregard of the repeated concerns of the international community clearly indicate where the origin of the instability of the regional situation is," said KCNA.

"The US is the chieftain threatening the peace and stability and destroying the strategic security balance. This fact has already been settled as an absolute value in the perception of the independent sovereign states in the region."

(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Leslie Adler)