Kim Jong Un's sister harshly criticized the US and Japan

The United States remains the main threat to the security of the DPRK, which is why Pyongyang will continue to strengthen its deterrence forces.

As reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), this was stated by Kim Yo Jong, the deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the sister of the country's leader Kim Jong Un.

"We will consistently adhere to the principled approach aimed at eliminating threats from a position of strength and ensuring genuine peace and stability, based on the unchanging reality that the greatest threat to the security interests of our state and the security situation in the region comes from the United States," she noted.

Kim Yo Jong also stated that Pyongyang does not attach significance to the reduction in joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. "Reducing the scale or duration of exercises does not change the essence of military maneuvers that are provocative and aggressive in nature," she emphasized. According to her, the United States and the Republic of Korea have conducted a series of joint exercises since the beginning of the year, including Freedom Shield, Freedom Flag, and Ssangmae.

"If the American side expects to present the measures taken this time as some kind of 'goodwill gesture,' it will not receive the desired response," Kim Yo Jong said. According to her, the DPRK views the ongoing U.S.-Korean maneuvers as a manifestation of hostile policy toward the people's republic.

Regarding reports from Washington about recent contacts between the leaders of the DPRK and the United States, Kim Yo Jong stated that she knew nothing about it. At the same time, she noted that Kim Jong Un retains "good memories and feelings" toward U.S. President Donald Trump. "The relationship between the two leaders remains excellent," the sister of the DPRK leader said.

At the same time, Kim Yo Jong emphasized that the personal relationship between the leaders does not signify a change in Washington's policy. "The hostile policy of the United States toward the DPRK has not changed," she stated, adding that Pyongyang's strengthening of its deterrence forces is necessary to counter threats to the republic's security.

Separately, Kim Yo Jong addressed Tokyo, stating that Pyongyang would deliver a "devastating blow" to Japan in the event of its military expansion. According to her, the DPRK considers Japan a potential and long-term threat capable of disrupting the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.

"If Japan attempts to make the wrong choice, it will now be directly subjected to an immediate devastating blow from which survival is impossible," she warned.