Kim Yo Jong mocks South Korea as U.S. ‘puppet’ over military drill cutback

Kim Yo Jong Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills ballistic missiles U.S.-South Korea alliance

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has issued sharp criticisms of South Korea, labeling its military a ‘puppet army’ following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back joint military exercises.

Trump unilaterally ordered the reduction of the ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ drills, which were originally scheduled to run through August 27. Trump cited his positive relationship with Kim Jong Un as a reason for the change and suggested the decision was influenced by South Korea’s lack of support for his military actions against Iran.

In response to the drill reduction, North Korea fired approximately twelve short-range ballistic missiles. While Kim Yo Jong mocked the South Korean government and its president, Lee Jae Myung, she did confirm that the personal relationship between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un remains ‘excellent.’

South Korea initially expressed concern over the sudden reduction in drills, which raised questions regarding U.S. security commitments, though some officials later viewed the move as a step toward promoting peace.

Entities

Donald Trump · Kim Jong Un · Kim Yo Jong · Lee Jae Myung · North Korea · South Korea

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Kim Yo Jong confirmed that the personal relationship between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un remains excellent. www.breitbart.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong described the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a relationship between a master and a servant. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.breitbart.com · www.japantimes.co.jp
[● 5 SOURCES] Kim Yo Jong referred to the South Korean military as a puppet army under U.S. command. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.vol.at · www.nrz.de · www.breitbart.com · www.japantimes.co.jp
[● 2 SOURCES] North Korea fired approximately twelve short-range ballistic missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers. www.vol.at · www.nrz.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Trump suggested the decision to reduce drills was partly due to South Korea's lack of support for his war against Iran. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.japantimes.co.jp
[● 5 SOURCES] President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.vol.at · www.nrz.de · www.breitbart.com · www.japantimes.co.jp

Sources

‘Puppet army’: Kim Jong Un’s sister mocks South Korea over cutback in joint US military drills [www.businesstimes.com.sg]

about 1 hour ago

Nordkorea verspottet Südkoreas "Marionettenarmee" [www.vol.at]

about 4 hours ago

Nordkorea verspottet Seoul nach abgebrochener Militärübung: „erbärmliche Lage“ [www.nrz.de]

28 minutes ago

Kim Jong-un's Sister Mocks South Korea, Confirms Brother's Relationship with Trump Is 'Excellent' [www.breitbart.com]

about 13 hours ago

Kim Jong Un’s sister mocks South Korea as U. S. ‘puppet’ over drill cutback [www.japantimes.co.jp]

about 1 hour ago