North Korea threatens to retaliate against South Korea for ‘reckless’ military drills
North Korea has threatened to retaliate against South Korea for “reckless” military drills near their disputed sea boundary, but Seoul denies any training in the immediate area, the scene of several bloody naval skirmishes in recent years.
The wrangling came five days after South Korea accused the North of initiating an exchange of gunfire along their land border.
No casualties were reported, but the incident was a reminder of persistent tensions on the peninsula.
North Korea’s Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces accused South Korea of mobilising fighter jets and warships on Wednesday for drills on their western sea boundary.
“Such reckless move of the military warmongers of the south side is the height of the military confrontation,” it said in a statement carried by North Korean state media.
“This is a grave provocation which can never be overlooked and this situation demands a necessary reaction from us.”
North Korea said the South’s drills violated 2018 agreements which required both countries to halt firing exercises along their land and sea borders to lower front line tensions.
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South Korea’s Defence Ministry said the drills didn’t break the agreements because they took place in its western waters about 300km from the sea boundary.
