North Korea Condemns US-South Korea Drills, Cites Risk of Escalation

Pyongyang warns of potential conflict following South Korean bombing error near border during military exercises.

North Korea has criticized the ongoing US-South Korea Freedom Shield military drills, calling them a 'war rehearsal' and accusing the allies of preparing for a preemptive strike.
The condemnation comes after a South Korean fighter jet mistakenly dropped bombs on a village near the border, injuring 31 people and damaging property.
North Korea's state media warned that such incidents could lead to unintended escalation and claimed the drills heighten the risk of a new armed conflict on the peninsula.
In response to the exercises, North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea, marking its first missile test since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency.
The US and South Korea maintain that the exercises are defensive, with Washington emphasizing the alliance's commitment to regional security and stability.