Editing North Korea–South Korea relations (section)

=== 2025 ===
On 28 February 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a strategic cruise missile test and ordered full nuclear readiness, state media reported. The test aimed to demonstrate the country's nuclear capabilities in response to perceived threats. While [[cruise missile]]s are not banned under U.N. resolutions, North Korea continues to face sanctions for its [[ballistic missile]] and nuclear programs. This test occurred as Kim emphasized military loyalty and training, continuing his hostile rhetoric toward South Korea and the U.S. despite past diplomatic engagements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Jack |date=28 February 2025 |editor-last=Wallis |editor-first=Daniel |editor2-last=Coates |editor2-first=Stephen |title=North Korea's Kim orders nuclear readiness after missile test, KCNA says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-says-it-is-duty-be-fully-ready-use-nuclear-deterrence-kcna-says-2025-02-27/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

North Korea continued to criticize the joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, particularly the "Freedom Shield" exercises that began on 10 March and ran until 20 March.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2025 |title=North Korea criticises US, South Korea joint military drills |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-criticises-us-south-korea-joint-military-drills-2025-03-06/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> North Korea condemned these drills, viewing them as provocative and worsening tensions on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]]. In response, North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on 10 March, with state media claiming that these exercises would deteriorate the situation.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=10 March 2025 |title=North Korea fires ballistic missiles, South Korea says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/seven-hurt-south-korea-after-shell-lands-civilian-area-during-military-drills-2025-03-06/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-us-drills-freedom-shield-bombing-pocheon-d3e285e1b0a6a15cb9edbf2613013582 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

North Korea also appeared close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft, a significant military development that would enhance its surveillance capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=North Korea appears close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-airborne-early-warning-aircraft-d3281216b25f8eedec134fcf43e7add9# |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>