North Korea denounces US–South Korea drills as threat of occupation
North Korea stated that the US and South Korea will pay a high price for the drills (Photo: Getty Images)
North Korea has criticized the joint US–South Korea military drills, claiming they reflect alleged intentions of occupation, reports Reuters.
According to media reports, North Korea stated that the joint exercises demonstrated Washington’s intent to occupy the Korean Peninsula and target hostile countries in the region.
"If they continuously persist in the military rehearsal, they will certainly face up the unpleasant situation and pay a dear price," Kim Yong Bok, first vice-chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
At the same time, the army general did not mention the meeting between South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung, and US President Donald Trump, which took place on August 25 at the White House.
It should be noted that the joint US–South Korea military exercises began on August 18. They are set to last 11 days, with part of the field training postponed until September. One of the main goals is to deter North Korea, namely to demonstrate the allies’ military readiness to respond in case of aggression from Pyongyang.
A few weeks ago, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol stated that the joint US–South Korea drills posed a serious threat and could further escalate the unstable situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Speaking about North Korea, Trump, during his dialogue with the new South Korean president, expressed his desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year. For his part, the South Korean leader expressed hope that the US president would succeed in improving relations between Seoul and Pyongyang.
“I hope you can bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, the only divided nation in the world, so that you can meet with Kim Jong Un, build a Trump World (real-estate complex) in North Korea so that I can play golf there, and so that you can truly play a role as a world-historical peacemaker,” Lee said.
War between North and South Korea
It should be noted that until 1945, Korea was a single country. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel: the north was occupied by Soviet forces, and the south by American forces.
This division was initially intended to be temporary, but in 1948, two states emerged on the peninsula - North Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea - each claiming to be the sole legitimate government. This split laid the groundwork for the Korean War, which began in 1950.
The war started on June 25, when North Korea attacked South Korea. After three years, on July 27, 1953, the Armistice Agreement was signed in Panmunjom, which has remained in effect for 72 years.
Although there have been instances of armed provocations, border skirmishes, and ship seizures, nothing on the scale of the conflicts in the 1950s has occurred since.
