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North Korea conducted a live-fire exercise involving its ultra-precision 600-millimeter large-caliber multiple rocket launchers, which it has named "Sniper," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Oct. 30. The exercise took place the previous day, Oct. 29, and was observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his daughter Ju-ae and his wife Ri Sol-ju, among others. / Yonhap News Agency

North Korea broke its silence on Oct. 30, issuing another statement directed at South Korea and blaming the United States and South Korea for worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The statement came eight days after its previous one.

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) carried a statement issued by a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"Military tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated to unprecedented levels due to the provocative and reckless behavior of our adversaries seeking to enhance their preparations for war against the DPRK," the spokesperson said.

"While large-scale field maneuver exercises are being conducted frantically across South Korea, U.S. and South Korean military warmongers have been carrying out the provocative large-scale combined air exercise 'Freedom Flag' targeting our country since Oct. 26, mobilizing extensive air power," the spokesperson said.

"This clearly reveals the difference between the 'defensive nature' of the exercise they claim and the military objectives they actually pursue."

The spokesperson also criticized a multidomain reconnaissance exercise conducted in South Korea for the first time by the U.S. Marine Corps' III Marine Expeditionary Force, which had previously held the exercise in Hawaii.

"The fact that the U.S. Marine Corps' III Marine Expeditionary Force conducted its multidomain reconnaissance exercise in South Korea for the first time, after previously holding it in Hawaii, and openly declared that its main purpose was to support South Korea's Kill Chain system demonstrates the seriousness of its military intentions," the spokesperson said.

"While South Korean military gangsters are deliberately escalating tensions along the border, the increasingly active military movements of our adversaries on our doorstep are raising the risk of an accidental armed clash."

The spokesperson argued that the United States and South Korea were responsible for the deteriorating regional security environment.

"This demonstrates that the root cause of the deteriorating regional security environment lies with the United States and South Korea, which seek military superiority by expanding their military alliance system and conducting joint military exercises," the spokesperson said.

"With reckless displays of force by our adversaries becoming routine, it would be complacent to expect regional tensions to ease on their own. Our military's clear position is that only a prepared response to potential risks can enhance national security."

The spokesperson warned that North Korea would respond to what it considers hostile actions against its security.

"Any hostile act that encroaches on our national security rights will be subject to the legitimate exercise of sovereignty by the armed forces of the DPRK," the spokesperson said.

"There are no limits to our options for maintaining a strong deterrent posture capable of countering threats from the United States and its followers and strengthening our control over the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The clearest intent to confront us will inevitably be met with the clearest determination to respond."

"Our armed forces will thoroughly deter threats through strength and act only in ways that our adversaries can understand," the spokesperson added.

"No one has the right to veto the DPRK's legitimate exercise of its right to self-defense."

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol