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North Korea: U.S. most responsible for threat of war

Pyongyang said Washington’s stance justified North Korea’s nuclear program.

By Elizabeth Shim
North Korea on Friday condemned Ulchi Freedom Guardian, a computer-simulated annual drill, held annually between the United States and South Korea. The drills ended Aug. 27. File Photo by Yonhap
North Korea on Friday condemned Ulchi Freedom Guardian, a computer-simulated annual drill, held annually between the United States and South Korea. The drills ended Aug. 27. File Photo by Yonhap

SEOUL, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- North Korea blamed the United States for placing the Korean peninsula at the risk of war and demanded an end to U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.

In an editorial in the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the North Korean government said the chief agent responsible for pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of "present-day disaster" was the United States, Yonhap reported.

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"Hostile U.S. policy toward North Korea is the primary obstacle to peace and security," Pyongyang said in the statement published Friday.

"The United States and South Korea military are colluding in the attack drills 'Ulchi Freedom Guardian' that have been playing out chaotically," North Korea said in a condemnation of the joint exercises.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian, a computer-simulated annual drill, ended its last day of exercises on Aug. 27, South Korean outlet Newsis reported. The training involves 50,000 South Korean and 30,000 U.S. troops.

Pyongyang said Washington's stance justified North Korea's nuclear program – which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has previously credited as a key factor in the peaceful outcome of recent negotiations.

"How can we abandon nuclear deterrence when the United States is bringing in nuclear-capable strategic bombers, submarines, aircraft carriers to launch a preemptive attack?" Pyongyang said.

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Ulchi Freedom Guardian began on Aug. 17 before concluding on Aug. 27 .

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