Pyongyang: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stated that the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises are a greater concern for Pyongyang than the recent decision to reduce their scale, as reported by North Korea's state media.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong expressed these views following the scaling back of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. This reduction came after a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to decrease the scope of combined military activities. Despite this, Kim emphasized that the continuation of these drills signifies ongoing hostility toward North Korea.

In an announcement disseminated by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim affirmed, "We are paying greater attention to the reality that joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea have continued and are still ongoing, and this is an unmistakable expression of hostility toward North Korea." This statement underscores the persistent tensions on the Korean peninsula, despite efforts to reduce military provocations.