[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] North Korean media on the 8th urged the cancellation of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, claiming that every time these exercises take place, inter-Korean relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula worsen.
The North Korean external weekly magazine Tongil Sinbo, in an article titled "Peace Protection is the Irresistible Aspiration of the Entire Nation," stated, "The frequent joint military exercises with foreign forces and the military buildup commotion in South Korea are reckless acts that escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and bring about the risk of war."
In particular, it emphasized, "It is well known that every time joint military exercises with foreign forces occur in South Korea, a hair-trigger risk of war arises on the Korean Peninsula, creating serious obstacles to the development of inter-Korean relations and the movement for national reunification."
Although it did not specify the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises, by mentioning "joint military exercises," it indirectly criticized them.
The newspaper further urged, "The entire Korean nation must firmly oppose and reject foreign domination, interference, invasion, and war provocations, and absolutely not tolerate any acts that escalate the state of tension."
It also referred to protests by South Korean civic groups opposing the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises, adding, "Preventing invasion and war and protecting peace is where the nation's prosperity and reunification lie."
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