N Korea: US drills threaten to turn region into war zone
US, S Korean warplanes conduct drills as North Korea says no interest in talking if US remains hostile
SEOUL: North Korea said on Thursday that drills by the United States and its allies have reached an “extreme red-line” and threaten to turn the peninsula into a “huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone.”
The Foreign Ministry statement, carried by state news agency KCNA, said Pyongyang was not interested in dialogue as long as Washington pursues hostile policies.
“The military and political situation on 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 spokesperson said in the statement.
It cited a visit to Seoul this week by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. On Tuesday, Austin and his South Korean counterpart vowed to expand military drills and deploy more “strategic assets,” such as aircraft carriers and long-range bombers, to counter North Korea’s weapons development and prevent a war.
“This is a vivid expression of the US dangerous scenario which will result in turning the Korean peninsula into a huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone,” the North Korean statement said.
The United States has pushed to expand military, political, and economic ties across Asia.
In Manila on Thursday,
Austin and his counterpart there announced that the Philippines had granted the United States expanded access to its military bases.
When asked about the tensions with North Korea during his stop in the Philippines, Austin said that the US goal was to promote greater security and stability and that it remained 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.
North Korea said it would respond to any military moves by the United States, and had strong counteraction strategies, including “the most overwhelming nuclear force” if necessary. On Wednesday, the United States and South Korea carried out a joint air drill with American B-1B heavy bombers and F-22 stealth fighters, as well as F-35 jets from both countries, according to South Korea’s Defence Ministry.
“The combined air drills this time show the US’ will and capabilities to provide strong and credible extended deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
In Washington, the White House rejected the North Korean statement and reiterated a willingness to meet with North Korean diplomats “at a time and place convenient for them.”
“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 spokesperson for the White House.