Russian Ambassador to North Korea: "USFK Must Withdraw... ROK-US Drills Are War Exercises"

Shin Hong-chul, North Korean Ambassador to Russia

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid North Korea's strong opposition to the regular South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, Shin Hongchul, North Korea's ambassador to Russia, has called for the withdrawal of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea.

On the 11th (local time), Ambassador Shin stated in an interview with Russia's state-run TASS news agency that peace on the Korean Peninsula can only be achieved if U.S. forces withdraw from South Korea.

He said, "To establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, above all, the United States must withdraw its offensive troops and military equipment deployed in South Korea," adding, "As long as U.S. forces remain stationed in South Korea, the main cause of periodic deterioration in the situation on the Korean Peninsula will never be eliminated."

He also stated, "The current situation confirms that not words but substantial power alone can maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," and emphasized, "It is absolutely necessary for North Korea to strengthen its military forces that can effectively deter external threats."

Ambassador Shin said, "We will further accelerate the additional strengthening of absolute deterrent power to counter the increasing daily military threats from the United States," and pledged to focus on enhancing national defense capabilities and strong preemptive strike capabilities.

He also joined North Korean authorities in condemning the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.

He claimed, "The South Korea-U.S. joint exercises, regardless of their scale or form, are war rehearsals and exercises for preventive strike plans against North Korea."

Ambassador Shin further pointed out, "The U.S. insistence on persistently conducting aggressive military exercises at a sensitive time when international attention is focused on developments on the Korean Peninsula shows that they are the main culprits undermining peace and stability, and that the current U.S. administration's talk of 'commitment to diplomacy' and 'dialogue without preconditions' is nothing but hypocrisy."

He dismissed the U.S. claim that the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises are defensive in nature as "an unbelievable sophism," and criticized, "Due to the military madness of the United States and South Korea, military tensions and the risk of conflict escalate every March and August on the Korean Peninsula and nearby regions."

He also asserted, "Given the nature of the United States, it is expected that they will carry out more blatant military hostile acts against countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Russia."