DPRK says U.S.-South Korea's joint military exercises means nuclear attack_English

　　PYONGYANG, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The joint military exercises by the United States and South Korean is a scheme for aggression to mount a preemptive nuclear attack on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official news agency KCNA quoted a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry as saying on Wednesday.

The joint military exercises aggravated the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the official news agency KCNA quoted the spokesman as saying.

It was "foolish" that the United States tried to stifle the DPRK's ideology and system by force, he said.

The spokesman said it was the "right option" for the DPRK to strengthen its deterrent force for self-defense and the country would adopt "tough measures" against any provocation by the United States and South Korea.

The annual U.S.-South Korea "Ulji Freedom Guardian" joint military exercises began on Aug. 17 and will run until Aug. 27.

The two Koreas are technically still at war, since no peace treaty was signed after their 1950-53 conflict. The United States currently has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.

DPRK top leader mourns former South Korean president

PYONGYANG, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), mourned former South Korean president Kim Dae Jung, praising his feats for national reconciliation, the official KCNA news agency said on Wednesday.

"Upon hearing the sad news that ex-President Kim Dae Jung passed away, I express my deep condolences to Mrs. Ri Hui Ho and other bereaved family members," said the top leader in a message of condolences to the family of Kim Dae Jung. Full story

U.S. delegation heads for Asia to coordinate implementation of UN resolution on DPRK

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. interagency delegation on Tuesday left for Asia to coordinate implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1874 on Pyongyang's nuclear and missile and proliferation activities.

The delegation, led by U.S. coordinator for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 Philip Goldberg, will visit Singapore on Wednesday, then will travel to Thailand, South Korea and Japan. Full story

UN chief appoints expert panel to monitor DPRK sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed seven experts to deal with sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to a letter submitted to the president of the Security Council made public here on Monday.

The secretary-general appointed the seven experts from the Security Council's permanent five members -- China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States -- as well as from Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Full story

S Korea, U.S. kick off war game amid DPRK's "nuclear deterrent" threat

SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- An annual computer-simulated war game of South Korea and the United States was launched on Monday amid the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s "nuclear deterrent" threats against it.

The Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, which will mobilize 56,000 South Korean and 10,000 U.S. troops, is to take place between Aug.17 and Aug. 27. Full story

Foreign ministry: S Korea's rocket launch different from DPRK's

SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said on Monday that it is not appropriate to compare the country's rocket launch due on Wednesday with that of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), which took place on April 5.

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1), South Korea's first space rocket, is wheeled to its launch pad from the assembly complex at Naro Space Centre in Goheung, about 485 km (301 miles) south of Seoul Aug. 17, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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According to Moon Tae-young, spokesman for the foreign ministry, South Korea respects the international regulation related to arms reduction, anti-proliferation, and peaceful use of the space as it plans for the rocket launch. Full story