NK suggests 2 Koreas stop hostile military deeds
Print Edition
NORTH Korea yesterday proposed that the two Koreas halt hostile military activities from later this week — an apparent show of its desire for peace before a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The surprise suggestion from North Korea’s top military body, the National Defense Commission, was made hours after Pyongyang confirmed its second missile test in recent days.
“Let’s show all Koreans and the world a resolute decision to completely stop all military hostile acts of pushing the North-South relations to the brink of a war,” the NDC said in a statement reported by the official Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea is ready to suspend all acts of verbal provocation and slander from Friday, and urged the South to reciprocate, it said.
Earlier this year Seoul dismissed a similar North Korean overture as a “deceptive” propaganda exercise.
The NDC statement also called for an end to live-fire drills and other hostile military activities near the Koreas’ disputed border in the Yellow Sea, a frequent flashpoint, from Friday.
There have been no direct military clashes at the maritime border since 2010, but the two sides intermittently fire warning shots there and engage in live-fire drills.
North Korea also urged the South to scrap its annual joint military exercises with the United States slated for August, to create a favorable mood for this year’s Asian Games in the South Korean city of Incheon.
Pyongyang has promised to send athletes to the games, to be held from September 19 to October 4.
The NDC’s statement urged Seoul not to take issue with the North’s nuclear weapons, calling them a “valuable” asset.
“We courteously advise them not to resort any longer to such harmful acts as taking issue with the DPRK’s nuclear deterrence,” it said.
Pyongyang said separately yesterday that it will put two detained American tourists on trial on charges including “perpetrating hostile acts.” KCNA said the acts had been confirmed by evidence and their testimony.
Matthew Todd Miller, 24, was arrested in April after he apparently tore his visa at immigration and demanded asylum. Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56, who entered the North on April 29, was arrested after he reportedly left a Bible at a hotel.
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