N. Korea accuses U.S. of seeking a crisis

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- North Korean officials accused the United States Monday of trying to provoke a crisis on the Korean Peninsula to keep the Asia-Pacific region under its control.

The criticism came after U.S. officials announced a new defense strategy that would call for a greater presence of American troops in Asia despite an overall reduction in force because of budget issues, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

"The U.S. is trying to act as the emperor of the world" by dominating the Asia-Pacific region, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said in a commentary.

The commentary said the Pentagon was trying to increase U.S. capability for military invasion and engagement by fostering tension on the region.

North Korea frequently criticizes joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, alleging they are dry runs for an invasion, a claim Seoul and Washington have dismissed.

The United States recently said it would help maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula by working with other countries to discourage provocations from North Korea and defend against them if necessary.

About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea.