North Korea has warned that a conflict on the Korean Peninsula could lead to a new world war. The statement emphasized that having an attack force that no one can stop is the most definite way to prevent war.

By consecutively issuing statements that increase security concerns in the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings, the North Korean government has once again challenged the United States and its allies.

In a statement from the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the joint Freedom Guardian Exercise conducted by the U.S. and South Korea between the dates of March 10-20 in the region was described as a “military provocation,” claiming that “This situation proves that this year’s Freedom Guardian Exercise is designed as a provocative nuclear war rehearsal by the U.S. and its allies.” It was emphasized that “The military maneuvers of the enemies have reached dangerous proportions” in the statement. It was noted that the scope of this year’s Freedom Guardian Exercise was expanded by the U.S. and South Korea, citing special wartime training scenarios from March 17-20 focused on destroying the enemy’s underground tunnel network and eliminating nuclear weapons.

In the statement defending that the Freedom Guardian Exercise has increasingly turned into a more aggressive war rehearsal annually, it was stated that “The military initiatives of enemy states aimed at gaining control over North Korea through hegemonic power superiority have reached an even more dangerous level.” A message to NATO from North Korea was also included.

The statement alleged that the United States is striving not only to establish military dominance over North Korea but over the entire Asia-Pacific region through its military exercises, asserting that the continuity of military exercises on the Korean Peninsula, where the possibility of a devastating armed conflict turning from an accidental spark is high, renders the regional situation uncontrollable.

It was reminded that NATO member countries also participate in joint military exercises led by the U.S., including the Freedom Guardian Exercise, warning that “This indicates that a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula will not be limited to just North Korea and the U.S., inevitably leading to a new world war.” Emphasizing the need for a deterrent force, the statement highlighted that North Korea will consistently strengthen its defense capabilities in all categories to prevent war effectively and deter all threats and blackmail. The joint exercise had drawn North Korea’s reaction

The U.S. and South Korean armies had conducted the joint Freedom Guardian Exercise aimed at enhancing Washington-Seoul alliance’s military intervention capabilities. North Korea had harshly criticized the exercise, claiming that it increased regional tension and posed a security risk.