North Korea blames Obama for hike in regional tensions

PYONGYANG, North Korea, May 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama is to blame for increased tensions on the Korean peninsula and should stop his hostile actions, a North Korean official said Friday.

A foreign ministry spokesman said Obama had told lies in terming North Korea's actions ahead of a summit with the South Korean president "provocations" and "threats," Yonhap News Agency reported.

The official said Obama's remarks were seen as an attempt to avoid responsibility for deteriorating security conditions in the region.

"The recent escalation in confrontation between the DPRK and the U.S. was sparked by the high-handed hostile act [by the U.S.] against the satellite launch for peaceful purposes," the North Korean state news agency said in a report monitored by Yonhap.

The "satellite launch" referred to a long-range rocket launched by Pyongyang in December. The West viewed the action as a cover to test the country's long-range missile capabilities.

The use of strategic bombers and deployment of F-22 stealth fighters in the region is a sign the United States is interested in starting a nuclear war, the spokesman said, and recent actions taken by North Korea were countermeasures for self-defense.

"The U.S. president would be well advised not to talk about 'change' in the DPRK but reflect on his wrong views and make bold decision to correct this," he said.