► While North Korea’s criticisms about the ROK-US joint military exercises are nothing new, recent criticisms about inter-Korean and US-DPRK relations have become more intense as the nation seems to be convinced that enough pressure will result in the suspension of the ROK-US joint military exercises. ► North Korea is calling for suspension in order to establish a diplomatic advantage over its miil...

► In order for the OPCON transfer to take place in the near future, this year’s exercises should have at least matched the intensity and size of those held prior to 2018. ► North Korea’s approach is that it will continue to enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities until it has achieved a minimum deterrence strategy, equipped with a second-strike capability regardless of the suspension...

► The North Korean military threat to the ROK makes military training imperative. ► North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may well fear that the ROK/U.S. pose an invasion threat to North Korea, but there is little basis for such fear as the major ROK/U.S. military exercises that North Korea complains about each spring and summer are run on computers for staff training and war plan conceptual developme...