North Korea warned Friday that it would exercise its right to self-defense "more intensively" as it condemned recent joint air drills among South Korea, the United States and Japan.

Japanese and South Korean fighters escorted U.S. bombers in the first air power demonstration of the year by the three countries.

South Korea says North Korea fired a ballistic missile that flew 685 miles before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan meet to reinforce improved relations and address shared security concerns as Seoul faces political turmoil. The meeting is a significant step amid President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and martial law controversy.

Many foreign media analyses suggest that the visit aims to solidify President Joe Biden's political legacy in terms of the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and strengthen relations with Asian allies such as South Korea and Japan.

North Korea’s foreign ministry issued a statement soon after U.S., South Korea and Japan held a joint military drill. Pyongyang condemned the drill and said it will respond by exercising right to self-defence more intensely.

By bno - Taipei Bureau In a sharp response to joint military exercises involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan, North Korea has vowed to 'more intensively' exercise its right to self-defence.