North Korea warns against US, South Korea military exercises

Not long before North Korea’s most recent nuclear test, the US and South Korea had an unofficial discussion about peace talks, reports say.

Tensions have increased significantly along the Demilitarized Zone since North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch, a North Korean military official told The Associated Press on Monday, adding that while he could not comment on operational details, “the reality is that it is touch and go”. “We carefully considered their proposal, and made clear that denuclearization had to be part of any such discussion”, said Kirby.

It has been two weeks since South Korea shut down the jointly run industrial park in the border city of Kaesong as punishment against the North’s fourth nuclear test on January 6 and long-range missile launch on February 7.

“North Korea must keep in mind that it will be responsible for all situations arising from its reckless provocations and we warn it will only speed up the collapse of its dictatorial system”, it said.

The Obama administration at that time said it would waive the standard requirement that North Korea make progress on denuclearization before peace talks could begin, but said denuclearization had to remain on the table.

Also, while the Iranian government depends heavily on energy exports, welcomes foreign investments, and faces significant pressure from its people to end its decades of global isolation, North Korea is a lot more autarkic and less reliant on foreign trade and access to the worldwide financial system. He cited the North’s growing military threats.

The delay comes as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Washington from Tuesday to meet his USA counterpart John Kerry for possible talks over the controversial defense system and North Korea.

Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said the two allies will soon begin talks about the feasibility of deploying the THAAD system to the South. He also said that China should exercise its influence with North Korea, rather than raising objections with THAAD. Since assuming office, Obama has consistently insisted that Pyongyang take steps to freeze its nuclear programs before any resumption of talks.

SEOUL – A local film about the painful life of South Korean sex slaves during World War II, tops pre-sale reservation rates in the local box office, a market tracker said Wednesday.

It is a matter of “self-defense” against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Jeong Yeon-guk told reporters.

Americans have come to see North Korea as the greatest danger facing the United States today, according to a recently released Gallup poll.