North Korea Criticizes US Over Minuteman III Missile Test, Vows to Strengthen Military Deterrence

North Korea's condemnation follows US testing of a Minuteman III ICBM, viewed by South Korean officials at California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, and recent US-South Korea military exercises involving over 130 aircraft as Pyongyang continues its own military activities.

North Korea has vowed to bolster its military deterrence and continue military action in response to US actions and to ensure security in the Korean peninsula and the region.
The criticism follows a test by the United States of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, watched by a South Korean delegation - their first visit since 2016.
The missile test was unsuccessful as it was blown up after an anomaly was detected, yet North Korea has strongly condemned the test and the involvement of South Korea.
North Korea also criticized recent military activities by the US and South Korea, including joint aerial exercises near the Korean peninsula involving a US B-52 strategic bomber and 130 warplanes to simulate 24-hour wartime operations, viewing these as rehearsals for an invasion.
Seoul and Washington maintain that these exercises and actions are aimed at maintaining combat readiness to respond to North Korea's provocations.