Kim Yo Jong states that reduced U.S.-South Korean military drills do not change the provocative nature of the exercises
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated that the reduced duration and size of the U.S.-South Korean military drills do not change the aggressive nature of the exercises. The administration announced that the U.S. and South Korean militaries would scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, a move that dampened hopes for an early resumption of diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and President Trump. Kim Yo Jong noted that the drills are still a rehearsal for an invasion and expressed that North Korea has no interest in the reduced scale. While President Trump stated that the drills were costly and sent an inappropriate signal to North Korea, the administration announced that the U.S. and South Korean militaries would still maintain essential readiness and training objectives. North Korea has recently focused on bolstering its nuclear arsenal and expanding cooperation with Russia. Despite the administration's move to scale back the drills, experts suggest that Kim Jong Un will likely seek larger concessions before returning to a planned diplomatic dialogue with President Trump.