North Korea Protests The US-South Korea Military Drill
North Korean Foreign Ministry official Ri Dong Il protests about the United States – South Korean joint military drill, calling it a threat to regional peace and security. He speaked when visited Hanoi to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum on Sunday.
Ri described the joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan as a provocation and challenge to North Korea‘s sovereignty and security as well as the wish for stability and peace in the country. As for the 6-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program, Ri stressed the need for early resumption of the talks to resolve the issue.
In the meantime, South Korea and The United States have begun a 4-day joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan. The two countries are conducting the drill following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March near the North Korean border. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the drill began as the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George Washington left the southern port of Pusan at 7 AM on Sunday.
The US and South Korea and also plan to hold annual joint drills called Ulji Freedom Guardian for 11 days next August.
