The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has condemned the ongoing US-Japan joint military drill.

The exercise started on February 16th, and will end on Friday. A spokesperson for the Korean National Peace Committee on Thursday said the drill is staged under the pretext of tackling threats from DPRK ballistic missiles and fighter jets. He accused the US and Japan of trying to damage the "improving atmosphere" of inter-Korean ties. The DPRK is to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics' closing ceremony this weekend. It will be led by Kim Yong Chol, vice-chairman of the Worker's Party of the Korea Central Committee. Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump will lead the US delegation to the closing ceremony. Neither side has expressed intent to meet.