North Korea terms South's military buildup with US, Japan as 'threats'

Pyongyang [North Korea], Mar 26 (ANI): North Korea considers South Korea's military build-up with US and Japan as 'military threats', reported South Korean news agency.

North Korea on Monday slammed South Korea's recent security consultation meetings with the United States and Japan, accusing them of weighing down inter-Korean relations, The Rodong Sinmun, newspaper of the North Korea's ruling Worker's Party said.

Further, the Yonhap News Agency quoted Cho Seong-ryoul, a senior researcher at the North Korea's Institute for National Security Strategy who said North Korea is considering South Korea's military buildup and security collaboration with the U.S. and Japan as "military threats."

"The recent criticism toward the South indicates that the North may put the agenda of arms control and military issues on the table, alongside the denuclearization issue, during the inter-Korean summit," he said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to conduct a meeting in late April.

"In order for North-South relations to develop in a way that meets the vision and the demand of the Korean people, national cooperation (between the two Koreas) should be accomplished more than anything", Seong-ryoul said while referring to the proposed meeting between Moon Jae-In and Kim Jong-un.

The newspaper also accused the South of "relying on foreign forces," saying distrust between the two Koreas cannot be resolved if the South collaborates with the foreign powers that seek lasting tension on the peninsula and provocations against North Korea.

The North Korean newspaper further mentioned the South Korean's security policy consultation meeting with Japan and integrated defence dialogue with the US, both of which were held in March.

"(They) are foul meetings to plot confrontation which run counter to the current reconciliatory mood for inter-Korean relations and improving the security situation of the Korean Peninsula," according to the Rodong Sinmin.

Earlier on March 24, North Korea agreed to hold high-level talks with South next week to discuss the details about an inter-Korean summit. (ANI)

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