N. Korea: US drills threaten to turn region into war zone

SEOUL: North Korea’s Foreign Ministry yesterday said drills by the United States and its allies have pushed the situation to an “extreme red line” and threaten to turn the peninsula into a “huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone”.

The statement, carried by state news agency KCNA, said Pyongyang was not interested in dialogue as long as Washington pursued hostile policies.

“The military and political situation in the Korean peninsula and in the region has reached an extreme red-line due to the reckless military confrontational manoeuvres and hostile acts of the US and its vassal forces,” an unnamed ministry spokesman said.

In Washington, the White House rejected the North Korean statement and reiterated a willingness to meet North Korean diplomats.

“We have made clear we have no hostile intent towards the DPRK and seek serious and sustained diplomacy to address the full range of issues of concern to both countries and the region,” said a spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

The North Korean statement cited a visit to Seoul this week by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

On Tuesday, Austin and his South Korean counterpart vowed to expand military drills and deploy more “strategic assets” to counter North Korea’s weapons development and prevent a war.

“This is a vivid expression of the US dangerous scenario that will result in turning the Korean peninsula into a huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone,” the North Korean statement said.

Asked about North Korea during a stop in the Philippines yesterday, Austin said the US goal was to promote greater security and stability and it remains committed to defending South Korea.

“We will continue to work alongside our allies and train and ensure that we maintain credible and ready forces,” he said.