North Korea on Wednesday (Aug 19) denounced joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea as a direct threat to its security. Notably, Pyongyang's state media made no mention of US President Donald Trump's surprise decision to scale back the drills.A commentary published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency described the exercises as "the most immediate and open threat" to North Korea and regional security. The commentary, titled "We Will Exercise Our Right to Self-defence for Neutralizing Military Threat from Hostile Forces through More Transparent Action," repeated Pyongyang's long-standing accusation that the drills are rehearsals for an invasion.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-wartime-operational-control-transfer-us-1787060539278">South Korea to press ahead with wartime operational control transfer from US</a><h2>Pyongyang ignores Trump's decision</h2>The North Korean statement came after Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to reduce the scale of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, just one day before they were scheduled to begin.Trump described the exercises as "inappropriate and hostile" and has also spoken positively about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He criticised South Korea for not backing his administration's war against Iran.Despite the change ordered by Trump, KCNA did not acknowledge the decision in its latest commentary. It also made no reference to Trump's stated interest in restarting talks with Kim.Trump said Monday that Kim had responded to his recent overtures, although he did not disclose details about the communication.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inane-senator-jack-reed-slams-trump-s-decision-to-downsize-us-south-korea-military-drills-1786979125833">'Inane’: Senator Jack Reed slams Trump’s decision to downsize US-South Korea military drills</a><h2>US troops remain in South Korea</h2>The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea, part of the longstanding US military presence established after the 1950-53 Korean War. The war ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of conflict.North Korea has consistently opposed US-South Korean military exercises, arguing that they threaten its security. Washington and Seoul, however, have maintained that the drills are defensive and designed to prepare their forces for a potential conflict.

Trump has scaled back the annual US-South Korea military drills, but North Korea is not backing down. Pyongyang has called the exercises an immediate threat to its security while making no mention of the US president's surprise decision.

North Korea on Wednesday (Aug 19) denounced joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea as a direct threat to its security. Notably, Pyongyang's state media made no mention of US President Donald Trump's surprise decision to scale back the drills. A commentary published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency described the exercises as "the most immediate and open threat" to North Korea and regional security. The commentary, titled "We Will Exercise Our Right to Self-defence for Neutralizing Military Threat from Hostile Forces through More Transparent Action," repeated Pyongyang's long-standing accusation that the drills are rehearsals for an invasion. Also read | South Korea to press ahead with wartime operational control transfer from US Pyongyang ignores Trump's decision The North Korean statement came after Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to reduce the scale of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, just one day before they were scheduled to begin. Trump described the exercises as "inappropriate and hostile" and has also spoken positively about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He criticised South Korea for not backing his administration's war against Iran. Despite the change ordered by Trump, KCNA did not acknowledge the decision in its latest commentary. It also made no reference to Trump's stated interest in restarting talks with Kim. Trump said Monday that Kim had responded to his recent overtures, although he did not disclose details about the communication. Also read | 'Inane’: Senator Jack Reed slams Trump’s decision to downsize US-South Korea military drills US troops remain in South Korea The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea, part of the longstanding US military presence established after the 1950-53 Korean War. The war ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of conflict. North Korea has consistently opposed US-South Korean military exercises, arguing that they threaten its security. Washington and Seoul, however, have maintained that the drills are defensive and designed to prepare their forces for a potential conflict.

Trump has scaled back the annual US-South Korea military drills, but North Korea is not backing down. Pyongyang has called the exercises an immediate threat to its security while making no mention of the US president's surprise decision.

'Most immediate threat': North Korea blasts US-South Korea drills despite Trump's surprise cut

The North Korean table tennis pair of Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jing-sik, who won the silver medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, could face disciplinary action for smiling while clicking a selfie with rivals – the gold medallist Chinese team and third-placed South Korean team at the podium.&nbsp;

As per a report in The Telegraph, Kim Kum-yong is under scrutiny for smiling during the victory photo with South Korean athletes, whom North Korea consider their fierce rivals.

The photo of athletes from two rival nations clicking selfies and smiling on the Olympic podium went viral on social media, with fans worldwide calling it a ‘beautiful moment in Olympic history.’&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis/news-novak-djokovic-calls-for-clear-protocols-in-wake-of-jannik-sinner%E2%80%99s-doping-episode-753071">Novak Djokovic calls for 'clear protocols' in wake of Jannik Sinner’s doping episode</a>

However, that didn’t sit well with North Korea, where leader Kim Jong Un’s regime strictly controls interactions with neighbours South Korea and others.

Besides, since the team returned home on August 15, they have been subjected to a month-long ‘cleanse’, done on purpose to remove any influence of ‘non-socialist’ culture, per reports in the Daily NK. This process, however, is managed by North Korea’s Ministry of Sport, including a three-stage ideological assessment designed to ensure the athletes align with state-approved values.

The North Korean athletes were asked to avoid any interaction with their South Korean counterparts or athletes from other countries at the Summer Games in Paris. Violation of these directives would lead to punishments, although the degree of penalties remains unclear.

However, historical precedents suggest severe consequences for disobeying orders.&nbsp;

Earlier, following North Korea’s lacklustre show during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the players were subjected to a six-hour public criticism, while their coach was sent to labour construction.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The North Korean table tennis pair of Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jing-sik, who won the silver medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, could face disciplinary action for smiling while clicking a selfie with rivals – the gold medallist Chinese team and third-placed South Korean team at the podium.

The North Korean table tennis pair of Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jing-sik, who won the silver medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, could face disciplinary action for smiling while clicking a selfie with rivals – the gold medallist Chinese team and third-placed South Korean team at the podium. As per a report in The Telegraph, Kim Kum-yong is under scrutiny for smiling during the victory photo with South Korean athletes, whom North Korea consider their fierce rivals. The photo of athletes from two rival nations clicking selfies and smiling on the Olympic podium went viral on social media, with fans worldwide calling it a ‘beautiful moment in Olympic history.’ ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic calls for 'clear protocols' in wake of Jannik Sinner’s doping episode However, that didn’t sit well with North Korea, where leader Kim Jong Un’s regime strictly controls interactions with neighbours South Korea and others. Besides, since the team returned home on August 15, they have been subjected to a month-long ‘cleanse’, done on purpose to remove any influence of ‘non-socialist’ culture, per reports in the Daily NK. This process, however, is managed by North Korea’s Ministry of Sport, including a three-stage ideological assessment designed to ensure the athletes align with state-approved values. The North Korean athletes were asked to avoid any interaction with their South Korean counterparts or athletes from other countries at the Summer Games in Paris. Violation of these directives would lead to punishments, although the degree of penalties remains unclear. However, historical precedents suggest severe consequences for disobeying orders. Earlier, following North Korea’s lacklustre show during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the players were subjected to a six-hour public criticism, while their coach was sent to labour construction. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea to punish Table Tennis players for 'smiling' with rivals on Olympic podium

South Korea's government has issued an order against the striking truckers in the cement industry to return to work . Watch this video to know more.

South Korea orders striking truckers in cement industry to return to work

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong has warned and threatened the South Korea of military action against it as as she bashed Seoul on Saturday over declining bilateral relations and its inability to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister threatens South Korea of military action