PYONGYANG, April 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday criticized the US forces' unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom and the deployment of the South Korean troops there, warning that the DPRK would "take whatever strong measure to protect its own security."

    The DPRK made the remarks in a statement issued by the spokesman for the Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People's Army (KPA), saying the "US decision to take even its small force out" ofthe JSA and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) "indicates that the US preparations for a preemptive attack upon the DPRK are under way at a final phase."

    The statement said the "unilateral measure taken by US forces side without any consultation with the KPA" showed that the US side is expected to give up its status as a signatory to the Armistice Agreement and made it "impossible to ensure telephone communication and contact between the liaison officers, the last means of contact between the two sides, and the security for talksbetween the two sides."

    On April 13, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff formally announced that the South Korean army would take over the guard duty in the JSA in Panmunjom so far performed by the US forces, the statement said.

    On April 11, the commander of the US forces in South Korea madea similar statement at a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, it added.

    The KPA and the US forces have ensured the security in the JSA in Panmunjom for the last more than half a century since the ceasefire in accordance with the Armistice Agreement and the agreement made in the subsequent period, according to the statement. Enditem