North Korea Condemns US-South Korea-Japan Drills as ‘Air Espionage’

(MENAFN) North Korea condemns a planned joint military exercise involving the United States, South Korea and Japan, describing the drills as “air espionage” and accusing Washington of maintaining a hostile approach toward Pyongyang.

The criticism follows renewed US statements supporting the “complete denuclearization” of North Korea. Pyongyang argues that Washington’s position demonstrates that its policy toward the country has not changed and continues to threaten North Korea’s sovereignty and security interests.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry also accuses the United States of attempting to damage the country’s international image and provoke instability by raising allegations concerning its human rights record.

South Korea, the US and Japan are scheduled to hold their trilateral “Freedom Edge” exercise from Sept. 7 to 11 in waters located east and south of South Korea’s Jeju Island.

The upcoming drills take place after the Trump administration earlier this month shortened joint military exercises with Seoul, in what appeared to be an effort to create conditions for Pyongyang to return to negotiations.

North Korea warns that prospects for easing regional tensions remain limited while Washington continues what it describes as an increasingly dangerous hostile policy.

"It is pointless to expect any detente in the region, given the grave situation where the US persistent hostile policy toward" North Korea "is evolving in a more dangerous way," the ministry said.

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