Kim’s sister says U.S. drills push North Korea nuclear arms growth

North Korea said U.S.-led military drills in the region only strengthen its resolve to expand its nuclear arsenal and “help” to boost its defense capabilities, warning of a more forceful response as tensions rise despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to revive diplomacy with Pyongyang. Kim accused the U.S. of driving tensions on the Korean Peninsula through a series of multinational exercises, including Pacific Vanguard, a naval drill involving South Korea and Japan that concluded last week.

She described the exercises as U.S.-led “war rehearsals” and said there would be no change in Pyongyang’s push to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. Her warning follows the five-day Freedom Edge exercise conducted by the U.S., South Korea and Japan in international waters south and east of South Korea’s Jeju Island. The drills involved maritime and air assets and training across areas including missile defense and cyber and medical operations, according to the U.S. and South Korean militaries.

Seoul has described the annual exercise as defensive and aimed at countering North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. A day after Freedom Edge wrapped up, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its east coast, prompting South Korea’s National Security Office to convene an emergency security situation review meeting. The missiles flew about 250 kilometers, according to the South Korean military.

In recent months, North Korea has stepped up its efforts to modernize its navy, which has traditionally relied largely on smaller vessels designed for coastal defense. This month, Kim commissioned a second 5,000-ton-class destroyer, part of a push to develop a more capable naval force that North Korea says will eventually carry nuclear weapons. The escalating rhetoric comes as Trump seeks to revive personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that defined the U.S. president’s first term.

Last month, Trump abruptly scaled back joint drills scheduled with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with the North Korean leader. Kim has yet to embrace his overtures.