Pyeongtaek: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Sunday criticized a planned joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, warning that the "reckless muscle-flexing" would lead to unfavorable consequences. Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the North Korean ruling party's Central Committee, expressed her concerns in a statement issued by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the allies are scheduled to conduct the Iron Mace tabletop military exercise from Monday to Friday at the U.S. Forces Korea headquarters at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. The exercise aims to integrate Washington's nuclear assets with Seoul's conventional capabilities to deter North Korean threats. Kim Yo-jong reiterated her criticism of the allies' nuclear deterrence plan, stating that North Korea would view the exercise as a "display" and a continuation of a confrontational stance by the "current rulers" if conducted with full awareness of the associated dangers.

Kim also cautioned that "reckless muscle-flexing by the U.S., Japan, and South Korea in the wrong location ... will definitely bring unfavorable consequences." This upcoming round marks the third Iron Mace exercise since its inception under the Nuclear Consultative Group guidelines, which were established following summit talks between former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former U.S. President Joe Biden in April 2023.

The exercise will be the first under President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump, both of whom have made efforts to reach out to North Korea to resume dialogue. Concurrently, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will also conduct the multi-domain Freedom Edge exercise in international waters southeast of Jeju Island.