N. Korea warns over S. Korea-U.S. drills as regional tensions grow

Описание: 한미연합훈련 속 북한 경고… 커지는 역내 안보 긴장

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.
The United States and South Korea have begun their annual joint military exercises, but tensions with North Korea are already rising.
After issuing a sharp warning through Kim Yo-jong, Pyongyang followed up with another signal, as leader Kim Jong-un personally observed the test launch of a strategic cruise missile that appeared to strike an actual target.
The move is drawing attention as a possible show of force timed with the joint drills.
At the same time, broader security factors are also in play, from Washington’s global military commitments to shifting diplomatic signals in the region. So what message is North Korea trying to send, and what could come next on the Korean Peninsula?

For answers to this, we are joined by Go Myung-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome.

Also joining us is Joel Atkinson, Professor of Graduate School of International and Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Good to see you.


(GO) 1. First, let’s start with North Korea’s response to the drills.
After Kim Yo-jong’s criticism, Kim Jong-un observed the launch of the Hwasal cruise missile, which appears to have struck a real target.
How serious is this, and what message is North Korea sending?

(ATKINSON) 2. Now going back to the joint military drills themselves.
Around 18,000 troops are taking part, similar to last year, but field exercises have been cut to 22, less than half of last year’s level.
Why was the scale reduced? Also, where does the wartime operational control transfer process stand right now?

(ATKINSON) 3. Another factor is the war in the Middle East.
There’s even talk that some U.S. Forces Korea equipment could be redeployed.
If that happens, what could it mean for security on the Korean Peninsula?

(GO) 4. Meanwhile, South Korea reportedly provided Cheongung II interceptor missiles to the UAE.
Do you think this shows the strength of Korea’s defense industry, or raise concerns about our own defense readiness?

(ATKINSON) 5. And staying with the broader message from Washington,
President Trump said that when crazy people have nuclear weapons, bad things can happen, and the U.S. defense secretary said strong action on Iran would send a message to others. Could North Korea also read that as a warning?

(GO) 6. Now on diplomacy.
Could Kim Jong-un try to reopen talks with President Trump this year? Or are talks still unlikely without incentives from Washington?

(ATKINSON) 7. Meanwhile, we’re also seeing active diplomacy on the ground.
Senior U.S. State Department officials are visiting South Korea this week, including Assistant Secretary David Wilezol and Michael DeSombre.
What message do these visits send, and what issues will likely be discussed?

(GO) 8. Let’s look inside North Korea.
Around International Women’s Day, the regime highlighted the role of women.
Is this just propaganda, or could it relate to the narrative around Kim Ju-ae?

(GO) 9. Finally, North Korea will hold Supreme People’s Assembly elections on the 15th.
What signals should we watch for from that vote and the meeting that follows?


We'll have to leave our discussion right here, many thanks to Dr.Go and Prof.Atkinson , we appreciate it.

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2026-03-11, 20:30 (KST)