North Korea says U.S. drills threaten to turn region into 'critical war zone' (updated)

USU Ventures AG

01/02/2023 21:33

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      North Korea says no interest in talking if U.S. remains
hostile
    

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      Statement warns of response to any military moves by U.S.
    

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      U.S., S.Korea warplanes conducted drills on Wednesday
    

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      Allies say exercises needed to deter North Korea
    

  
 (Adds Austin quote, paragraphs 9-10; text summary points)
    By Josh Smith
       SEOUL, Feb 2 (Reuters) - North Korea's Foreign Ministry
said on Thursday that drills by the United States and its allies
have pushed the situation to an "extreme red-line" and threaten
to turn the peninsula into a "huge war arsenal and a more
critical war zone."
    The statement, carried by state news agency KCNA, said
Pyongyang was not interested in dialogue as long as Washington
pursues hostile policies.
    "The military and political situation on the Korean
peninsula and in the region has reached an extreme red-line due
to the reckless military confrontational manoeuvres and hostile
acts of the U.S. and its vassal forces," an unnamed ministry
spokesperson said in the statement.
    In Washington, the White House rejected the North Korean
statement and reiterated a willingness to meet with North Korean
diplomats "at a time and place convenient for them."
    "We have made clear we have no hostile intent toward the
DPRK and seek serious and sustained diplomacy to address the
full range of issues of concern to both countries and the
region," said a spokesperson for the White House National
Security Council.
    The North Korean statement cited a visit to Seoul this week
by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. On Tuesday Austin and
his South Korean counterpart vowed to expand military drills and
deploy more "strategic assets," such as aircraft carriers and
long-range bombers, to counter North Korea's weapons development
and prevent a war.
    "This is a vivid expression of the U.S. dangerous scenario
which will result in turning the Korean peninsula into a huge
war arsenal and a more critical war zone," the North Korean
statement said.
    North Korea will respond to any military moves by the United
States, and has strong counteraction strategies, including "the
most overwhelming nuclear force" if necessary, the statement
added.
    When asked about the tensions with North Korea during a stop
in the Philippines on Thursday, Austin said that the U.S. goal
is to promote greater security and stability, and that it
remains committed to defending South Korea.
        "We will continue to work alongside our allies and train
and ensure that we maintain credible and ready forces," he said.
  
    More than 28,500 American troops are based in South Korea as
a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in an
armistice rather than a peace treaty.
    "We reject the notion that our joint exercises with partners
in the region serve as any sort of provocation. These are
routine exercises fully consistent with past practice," the
White House statement said.
    Last year, North Korea conducted a record number of
ballistic missile tests, which are banned by United Nations
Security Council resolutions. It was also observed reopening its
shuttered nuclear weapons test site, raising expectations of a
nuclear test for the first time since 2017.
    In New York, South Korea's foreign minister, Park Jin, met
with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on
Wednesday and called for the U.N.'s continued attention to North
Korea's recent provocations and efforts to implement sanctions
on the reclusive regime.
    Guterres said any resumption of nuclear testing by North
Korea would deal a devastating blow to regional and
international security, and reaffirmed support to build lasting
peace on the Korean peninsula, according to Park's office. 
    Park is on a four-day trip to the United States, which will
include a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in
Washington on Friday.    
    On Wednesday the United States and South Korea carried out a
joint air drill with American B-1B heavy bombers and F-22
stealth fighters, as well as F-35 jets from both countries,
according to South Korea's Defense Ministry.
    "The combined air drills this time show the U.S.' will and
capabilities to provide strong and credible extended deterrence
against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," the Defense
Ministry said in a statement.
 (Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Soo-hyang
Choi in Seoul, Steve Holland in Washington, and Karen Lema in
Manila; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot and Gerry Doyle)
 ((JoshSmith1@thomsonreuters.com;))