Pyongyang calls large-scale ‘Freedom Edge’ drills involving fighter jets and nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier ‘provocative’

North Korea criticised the trilateral “Freedom Edge” military exercise by South Korea, Japan and the US, held between 27 June and 29 June, as “provocative”, said a statement by a department of the country’s foreign ministry, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, on Sunday.

Pyongyang will not ignore the strengthening of a military bloc led by the US and its allies and will protect regional peace with an aggressive and overwhelming response, the statement said.