Mick Hartley

US and South Korean forces have begun this year's joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Guardian. (No it doesn't roll off the tongue, but it's still an improvement on the previous name, Ulchi Focus Lens.) The North Koreans aren't happy:

The United States and the south Korean authorities finally kicked off the extremely provocative and aggressive Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises against the DPRK despite the latter’s repeated warnings.

This sabre-rattling started by the US in collusion with the south Korean authorities is a rehearsal for a nuclear war against the DPRK which brings to light their invariable hostile nature to stifle it by force of arms.

This is entailing such adverse consequences as vitiating the atmosphere of dialogue created with much effort in reflection of the unanimous aspiration and demands of the people at home and abroad for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and straining the situation…

It is preposterous for the US to urge the DPRK to refrain from bolstering its nuclear deterrent, while whetting its swords for a war of aggression behind the screen of dialogue.

It is very ill-boding, in particular, that the US let “a special action unit” participate in the on-going joint military exercises, a unit tasked to detect and destroy the nuclear weapons of the DPRK.

The prevailing situation goes to prove that the US has no intention to realize the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through dialogue and negotiations but only watches for a chance to deprive the DPRK of its nuclear deterrent by a brigandish method.

It is self-evident that the DPRK should put spurs to bolstering its nuclear deterrent for self-defence both in quality and quantity to cope with this situation.

The DPRK remains invariable in its stand to defend peace of the Korean peninsula and realize its denuclearization through dialogue and negotiations.

Any attempt on the part of the US to do harm to the DPRK by force of arms can never go with dialogue. It will only face the mode of merciless counteraction of Korean-style.

Ah, we'll miss 'em when they're gone.