Asia-Pacific

DPRK says it is watching S Korea's moves closely

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-05 17:58

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Thursday it was closely watching every move of South Korea, the official news agency KCNA reported.

The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea warned South Korea in a statement that, if it dared to try aggression, the DPRK would mercilessly wipe out the enemy and its stronghold with the most powerful attack beyond imagination, KCNA reported.

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The anti-submarine exercise held by South Korea was an "intolerable challenge" to the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK, and a "premeditated military provocation aimed to ignite a war," said the statement.

South Korea's persistence in blaming the DPRK for the sinking of a South Korean warship was aimed at saving face in the international community and creating pretexts to ignite aggression, the statement said.

On Thursday, South Korea began massive anti-submarine drills in waters off the west coast of the divided Korean Peninsula despite a warning from its wartime rival and heightened tensions near the western sea border.

The DPRK military has warned it will militarily respond against the exercises, which amount to an "open military attack."

The 1,200-ton corvette Cheonan with 104 crew members onboard sank near the maritime border with the DPRK on March 26 after an unexplained explosion. Only 58 sailors survived.

South Korean investigators said on May 20 the Cheonan was sunk by a DPRK torpedo.

The DPRK National Defense Commission rejected the accusation and wanted to send an inspection group to the south to verify the evidence. However, Seoul rejected the proposal.