North Korea has reportedly issued a threat to United States officials in South Korea over military drills scheduled to take place in the region.
The US and South Korea are slated to start the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle war games next month. Should the countries decide to move forward with the drills as planned, North Korea said it would ignite a war in which the United States would “meet a miserable destruction.”
According to The New York Times , the threat from North Korea arrived in the form of a message from chief delegate Pak Rim-su.
The message read:
“If your side ignites a war of aggression by staging the reckless joint military exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle again under the cover of ‘defensive and annual ones’ at this dangerous time, from that moment your fate will be hung by a thread with every hour. You had better bear in mind that those igniting a war are destined to meet a miserable destruction.”
According to The Associated Press , North Korean military officials say the scheduled military exercises prove that the United States is acting in a hostile manner. The country also believes US forces are preparing for an invasion.
In addition to performing regular exercises, the United States government has around 28,500 soldiers stationed in South Korea .
Reuters explains that both Washington and Seoul have maintained these are simply routine exercises and not signs of aggressive behavior.
The Inquisitr reported earlier this week that North Korea threatened South Korea with “final destruction” during a recent debate. The country’s diplomat made the unsettling remark at Tuesday’s UN Conference on Disarmament.
Jon Yong Ryong stated during the exchange:
“As the saying goes, a new-born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea’s erratic behavior would only herald its final destruction.”
What do you think about North Korea threatening the United States over military drills in South Korea?