North Korea's Pak Jong-chon: "Extension of ROK-US Joint Air Exercises is a Dangerous and Wrong Choice"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Park Jeong-cheon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, strongly condemned the extension of the South Korea-U.S. joint air exercise 'Vigilant Storm.'

On the 3rd, Vice Chairman Park stated in a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency, "The United States and South Korea have decided to extend the joint air exercise 'Vigilant Storm.' This is a very dangerous and wrong choice," adding, "The irresponsible decision of the United States and South Korea is pushing the current situation, caused by provocative military actions of the allied forces, into an uncontrollable phase."

He also said, "The United States and South Korea will realize that they have made an enormous mistake that cannot be undone."

Vice Chairman Park is considered the top-ranking official in the North Korean military. The day before, he also said in a statement, "Due to the excessive military confrontation provocations by hostile forces, a serious situation is developing on the Korean Peninsula," and warned, "In the current situation, if this is merely taken as a threatening warning, that itself will be a grave mistake."

The South Korean and U.S. Air Forces began 'Vigilant Storm' on the 31st of last month. Originally, the exercise was scheduled to end the next day, but due to North Korea's continued missile provocations, the training period was extended.