(CLO) North Korea's Foreign Ministry said the joint military exercise between the US and South Korea was "a dangerous provocation," state news agency KCNA reported on Monday (March 10).
The annual Freedom Shield exercise between the South Korean and US militaries is scheduled to begin on Monday and run through March 20. According to the South Korean military, the goal of the exercise is to enhance the alliance's combat readiness to counter threats from North Korea.
Leader Kim Jong Un inspects a North Korean shipbuilding facility. Photo: KCNA
North Korea has long called for the drills to be canceled, viewing them as a preparation for an invasion.
"This is a dangerous provocation that pushes the tense situation on the Korean peninsula to the extreme. A small incident, such as an accidental shot, could trigger a military conflict between the two sides," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Amid rising tensions, North Korea has conducted a series of missile tests in recent months and stepped up military cooperation with Russia. Meanwhile, the US and South Korea continue to insist that the exercises are purely defensive in nature and not intended to provoke war.
Experts say this year's Freedom Shield exercise could include simulations of real-life conflict situations on the Korean Peninsula, amid Pyongyang's increasing military activities and testing of advanced weapons.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council continues to be deadlocked in taking action on the North Korea issue, due to disagreements among major powers such as the US, China and Russia on how to handle the issue.
Cao Phong (according to KCNA, CNA)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trieu-tien-goi-cuoc-tap-tran-my-va-han-quoc-la-khieu-khich-nguy-hiem-post337791.html
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