Is the US setting up an ‘Asia-style Nato’? North Korea thinks so

North Korea’s accusation followed recent joint military exercises conducted by US, South Korean and Japanese forces

Pyongyang also blamed US hostility for forcing it to develop stronger defences – saying ‘there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force’

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The Nato flag. North Korea’s criticism came a day before South Korea’s president left to attend a Nato summit in Spain. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:24pm, 27 Jun 2022Updated: 3:29pm, 27 Jun 2022

North Korea has accused the United States of setting up a military alliance like Nato in Asia, saying Washington’s unwavering aim to oust the government in Pyongyang forced it to develop stronger defences.

The North Korean criticism comes amid concern it could be preparing its first nuclear test in five years and after a recent agreement between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joe Biden to deploy more US weapons if deemed necessary to deter the North.

“While blatantly holding joint military exercises with Japan and South Korea, the United States is making a full-fledged move to establish an Asia-style Nato,” North Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement on its website on Sunday.

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It was referring to recent military exercises conducted by US, South Korean and Japanese forces. The United States also held exercises with South Korean forces that involved a US aircraft carrier, for the first time in more than four years.

North Korea, which has been conducting regular missile tests this year, repeated its assertion that such drills were preparation for war aimed at overthrowing it.

“This proves the hypocrisy of the US rhetoric of ‘diplomatic engagement’ and ‘dialogue without preconditions’, while at the same time revealing again that there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force,” the North Korean ministry said.

It did not refer explicitly to its nuclear or missile programmes but said US hostility forced it to develop its defences.

Is the US setting up an ‘Asia-style Nato’? North Korea thinks so

North Korea’s accusation followed recent joint military exercises conducted by US, South Korean and Japanese forces Pyongyang also blamed US hostility for forcing it to develop stronger defences – saying ‘there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force’

North Korea’s accusation followed recent joint military exercises conducted by US, South Korean and Japanese forces

Pyongyang also blamed US hostility for forcing it to develop stronger defences – saying ‘there is no change in the US ambition to overthrow our system by force’