North Korea Deploys Special Assets Amid US-South Korea Military Presence

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that Pyongyang has deployed "special assets" in response to what he described as the United States' military buildup in South Korea. This deployment is directly proportional to the increased US military presence, including around 28,500 troops stationed in the South and recent joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan. Kim criticized these drills, labeling them as dangerous scenarios or rehearsals for invasion, while the US and its allies maintain they are defensive measures against North Korea's nuclear threats. He warned that North Korea would develop additional military measures to counter these perceived threats and stated that the US-ROK nuclear alliance is rapidly progressing. Although Kim did not specify the nature of the "special assets," he emphasized heightened strategic concerns and vigilance over the security environment in the region. The announcements were made during a defense industry exhibition in Pyongyang, with visuals showing Kim inspecting missiles and other weaponry alongside senior officials.