N. Korea condemns drills by US, Japan, S. Korea as 'Asian NATO'

North Korea has condemned joint military exercises involving South Korea, Japan, and the United States, likening them to an "Asian version of NATO" and warning of severe consequences. The drills, named "Freedom Edge," focused on ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and cyber defense. Pyongyang, through its foreign ministry, criticized these exercises as provocative and accused the US, Japan, and South Korea of forming a military bloc against North Korea. The North has historically viewed such drills as preparations for invasion, amid ongoing tensions and cross-border provocations with South Korea.