The Korean Central News Agency reported, citing a statement from General Ko Jong Chul, Deputy Chief of Staff of the North Korean Army, that North Korea “will not bear any responsibility for the grave consequences” that may arise if Seoul ignores prior warnings in the border area in the future. Earlier this month, the Defense Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chul, warned that Pyongyang would respond firmly and exercise its right to self-defense if any provocation occurred during the exercises scheduled from August 18 to 28. No Kwang Chul described the exercises as a “direct provocation and a real threat that increases tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” pledging to counter any offensive moves. He accused the allies (South Korea and the United States) of undermining regional security, affirming that the mission of the Korean People’s Army is “to deter provocations and protect peace,” according to the Korean Central News. He warned that the Korean People’s Army “will deal with the war exercises with a comprehensive and firm counteraction, and will strictly exercise Pyongyang’s sovereign right to self-defense in the event of any provocation that crosses the border line.”
