DPRK warns U.S.-ROK drills will affect nuclear talks

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday warned that the military drills between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to be held next month "will affect" proposed working-level nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

It was the first statement from Pyongyang on the issue since U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un agreed at an impromptu meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to resume stalled denuclearization talks.

"While efforts are underway to arrange working-level talks between the DPRK and the U.S. in the wake of the top-level meeting at Panmunjom, the U.S. is planning the joint 19-2 Dong Maeng military exercise," an unnamed spokesperson of the foreign ministry said in comments carried by state news agency KCNA.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ), June 30, 2019. /VCG Photo

"It is clear that the exercises are a real-time training, rehearsal for war to militarily crush our republic," the spokesman said in a separate statement, adding that Trump has reaffirmed at last month’s meeting with Kim that the exercises would be halted."If realised, it will affect the working-level talks,"

"The DPRK will be watching the next move by the U.S. before it decides how to proceed on the talks," the official added.

In August, the U.S. and the ROK are due to hold joint military exercises. The drills, which infuriate Pyongyang, were scaled down to facilitate dialogue with the DPRK after Trump's historic first summit with Kim in Singapore in June 2018. The DPRK has for years denounced military exercises between the United States and the ROK.

"As the United States is failing to follow through on its own commitment, the reasoning for us to remain in the agreement is fading away," the DPRK spokesman said, referring to a declaration the two leaders agreed to at their Singapore summit.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP.)

(Cover: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un talk before a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Panmunjom, June 30, 2019. /VCG Photo)