SEOUL – North Korean state media on July 17 called South Korea a “puppet” following its participation in a maritime exercise led by the US, saying Seoul and Washington would need to bear responsibility for any “unpredictable escalation” in the region.

The comments from North Korean state media outlet KCNA came after the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in Hawaii last week, which saw the South Korean navy lead the maritime forces for the first time.

The exercise is billed as the world’s largest international maritime exercise and is held every two years. Some 30 countries took part in 2026, including Japan, Canada and Australia, according to the RIMPAC website.

The KCNA said that “the South Korean puppet forces took part as a main component” at a time when “military collusion is becoming increasingly overt,” referring to the recent strengthening of South Korean-Japanese military cooperation and of South Korea’s relationship with NATO.

This marks the first time in ...