North Korea Claiming 'War Games' will bring Korea to brink of war - by, Charity Maness

Sixty years after the July 1953 Armistice agreement was signed between the US, China and North Korea to temporarily halt fighting a US presence is still strong in South Korea.

North Korea, labeled by President George W Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address as one of the three countries creating an “axis of evil” has lashed out publicly regarding the upcoming joint US South Korea ‘War Game’ annual exercise to be held February 2012 through March 2012.

According to KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) the North Korean officials are saying that this exercise is “a military provocation and a simulation of a nuclear war.” Further claiming the US South Korean war games are a “preliminary move to an invasion into the North and threatening with a powerful retaliatory strike in response to any provocation.”

General Thurman, Commander of the joint Armed Forces of the two countries stated that the exercises held annually “ensure readiness of the allies to protect South Korea.”

In 2009 Presidents Obama and Lee signed the “Strategic Flexibility” agreement wherein the defense of South Korea is returned to Seoul, allowing the United States to deploy its forces outside Korea and requiring Seoul’s active participation in the ‘U.S.-led initiative against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (PSI).’

One source claims the US interest in South Korea is to protect the trade route and build and operate bases on the southern coast with a close proximity to Beijing, a strategic location to gather intelligence, and a key point for a possible standoff with China. Other sources state that a US presence ensures a modicum of safety and protection for the citizens.

Threats from North Korea during times of war games has a long history, warning Washington to abandon its “hostile policy.” One source stated that the North Korean Army, during the 2010 war games, would be “ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies.”

On January 29, 2012 KCNA wrote “Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises, (are) known to be a saber-rattling for a preemptive attack on the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).”

By, Charity Maness

KCNA claimed that if the games were to take place they “will bring the situation in the peninsula to the brink of war.”