Hundreds of thousands of citizens of North Korea have declared their willingness to participate in a potential war against the United States, reports Press TV, citing the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun.
On Friday alone, some 800,000 North Korean workers and students volunteered to join or re-enlist in the armed forces for such battles.
Commenting on the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises now underway, the publication wrote that Washington and Seoul’s “provocations” were “crossing the line” and that this “can no longer be tolerated.” North Korea is seeking to demonstrate that it can “defeat” its enemy’s military capabilities, Rodong Sinmun pointed out.
The U.S. and South Korea have staged a series of military exercises since the beginning of the year, despite stiff warnings from Pyongyang.
On Monday, the allies began military maneuvers dubbed “Freedom Shield.” The 11-day drill is being conducted on a scale not seen since 2017 and includes field exercises and an amphibious landing.
Pyongyang views these maneuvers as a potential rehearsal for an invasion of its territory.
In response, North Korea has stepped up missile tests, which it is using as a warning against further provocations on the Korean Peninsula. Most recently, Pyongyang launched its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17, Press TV recalls.