Seoul:North Korea has criticized a recent joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, which combines South Korea's conventional military capabilities with U.S. nuclear capabilities. The North declared that strengthening its nuclear capabilities is "immutable" in response to these activities.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the statement was made by Kim Jong-sik, the first vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee, through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim described the drill, named Iron Mace, as "the most hideous nuclear war rehearsal aimed at using nuclear weapons against the DPRK," referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

The Iron Mace exercise, conducted from September 29 to October 2 at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul, was part of a strategy to deter North Korean threats. Kim Jong-sik argued that this drill, along with others such as Hoguk, Freedom Flag, and the U.S.-Japan exercise Keen Sword, demonstrates the need for North Korea to maintain its nuclear capabilities to counteract perceived threats.

Kim emphasized the belief that "strength is peace, and peace is guaranteed only by strength," suggesting that North Korea must reinforce its nuclear deterrent to protect its sovereignty and ensure regional peace. The strengthening of this deterrent is described as an "immutable" national defense policy aimed at addressing both current and potential threats.