# North Korea threatens US with ‘overwhelming force’ over joint drills

2026-08-14T17:25:39+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

North Korea has threatened the US and South Korea with 'overwhelming force' ahead of their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise starting August 17. The warning from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry on Friday came two days after it fired its 11th missile of the year into the Sea of Japan. Since early July, North Korea has also intensified rhetoric against Japan, slamming its military build-up, Tomahawk cruise missile acquisition, and defence white paper as 're-invasion-minded'. Analysts say Pyongyang aims to frame Northeast Asia as a contest between a US-South Korea-Japan bloc and a North Korea-China-Russia bloc, to strengthen backing from Beijing and Moscow for its nuclear programme.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/world/why-north-korea-has-flagged-japan-military-build-up-security-alliance-with-us-south-korea-article-155625746>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/world/north-korea-issues-new-threat-to-us-were-ready-with-overwhelming-force-article-155637944>

Tags: Japan, Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, North Korea, South Korea, United States
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