North Korea threatens to respond against future US reconnaissance flights

Pyongyang not pleased

"There is no guarantee that such a shocking accident as the downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen" in waters east of Korea, the spokesperson said.

Also, according to the statement, there have been previous instances where North Korea has shot down or intercepted US aircraft near the border with South Korea and along the coast. According to South Korea's military, North Korea's accusation of an airspace violation is false and hypocritical, given North Korea's use of spy drones. The military clarified that regular reconnaissance flights are conducted by US air surveillance assets around the peninsula and that the two countries are closely collaborating in monitoring North Korea.

According to KCNA, the United States' attempt to bring strategic nuclear weapons to the Korean peninsula is considered "the most blatant nuclear blackmail" towards North Korea and neighboring countries. "Whether the extreme situation, desired by nobody, is created or not on the Korean peninsula depends on the future action of the US, and if any sudden situation happens ... the US will be held accountable for it," it said.

This year, there have been air and navy drills involving a US aircraft carrier and heavy bombers by US and South Korean forces. Additionally, a US nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine made a port call at Busan in South Korea last month. The North's statement criticized the US's deployment of a strategic nuclear submarine carrying nuclear warheads to the Korean peninsula, which is the first time since 1981.

The leaders of South Korea and the United States reached an agreement in April, stating that a US Navy nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine would make its first visit to South Korea since the 1980s. However, there is no given timetable for this visit. The plan aims to enhance the deployment of American strategic assets, respond more effectively to North Korea's threats and weapons tests, and defend its ally, South Korea.

Nuclear tensions rising

In June, a strategic bomber called US B-52 participated in air military exercises with South Korea to display power after North Korea's unsuccessful attempt to launch a spy satellite in late May.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said it was time to show "the international community’s determination to deter North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is stronger than North Korea’s desire to develop nuclear weapons,” in written comments to the Associated Press published on Monday. According to his office, Yoon is set to participate in the NATO summit in Lithuania this week. During the summit, he plans to work towards strengthening collaboration with NATO members to address the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea.