LOC11:16
08:16 GMT
TOKYO, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- North Korea warned the US on Monday against resuming joint military drills with South Korea, which have been postponed until after the PyeongChang Winter Games, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.
"The US should be blamed for any deterioration of the recent rapprochement between the two Koreas as a result," the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in a commentary which was monitored in Seoul. "The US has a purpose to end a thaw in inter-Korean ties immediately after the Olympic flame goes out. Washington is making noise to resume its military exercises with Seoul right after the Games' closing," the newspaper said.
A rare reconciliatory mood between the two Koreas set in after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accepted Seoul's request that it participate in the February 9-25 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Earlier, Seoul and Washington delayed their annual military drills until after the March 9-18 Paralympics.
"Risks of tensions are growing on the Korean Peninsula. US' strategic assets and massive troops are coming to the peninsula and its adjacent areas," the North's paper claimed.
Kim Jong-un has invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang through his younger sister Kim Yo-jong, who was sent to Seoul as a special envoy. In response, Moon called for efforts to create the right conditions for a potential summit. (end)
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