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North Korea accuses U.S. of planning precision strike

By Elizabeth Shim

SEOUL, June 15 (UPI) -- North Korea's foreign ministry spokesman said he has information on precision strike operations the United States is planning as part of its "blatant war of aggression" against the country.

Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported the spokesman has evidence Washington is openly discussing air strikes against North Korea's nuclear facilities.

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"The fact that the United States is openly discussing 'precision strike operations' is a sign it is on the brink of taking an extremely reckless step," the spokesman said. "The fact the operation was made public ahead of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise, that dangerous 'scenario of war' taking place in August, cannot be overlooked."

The spokesman added the alleged U.S. policy justifies Pyongyang's policy of "Byungjin," or pursuing economic development alongside the development of nuclear weapons.

North Korea did not provide additional details on the report.

A South Korean analyst had said on Tuesday North Korea might conduct a fifth nuclear test during the months leading up to the U.S. presidential elections.

Pyongyang's possession of nuclear weapons has been presented to the world as a "fait accompli" and will be used to develop its foreign policy, said Lee Su-seok.

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North Korea's underlying motives include a desire to use the talks to gain recognition, and prove to the international community the implementation of sanctions isn't having the intended effect, the analyst said.

Washington has said it is open to dialogue with Pyongyang but only on the condition it is willing to give up its nuclear weapons, a growing stockpile, according to the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C.

In the last 18 months, Pyongyang has added four to six nuclear weapons, analysts said.

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