by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) June 30, 2010
North Korea warned Tuesday that any accidental clash during an upcoming US-South Korea naval exercise could spark war, as tensions remained high over the sinking of a South Korean warship.
Minju Josun, the cabinet’s official daily, accused the South and its US ally of “fabricating” facts about the sinking to incite a war against the communist state.
“It is as clear as day that a small accident that might occur during the joint military exercise would easily spread to an armed clash and eventually, to an all-out war,” it said, slamming the planned drill as provocative and dangerous.
The United States and South Korea are planning a special naval exercise as a show of strength in response to the sinking, which they blame on the North. No dates have been announced.
“If the US imperialists, gripped by their pipe dream of invading the North, ignite a new war on the Korean peninsula, our military and the people will wipe out not only the invaders but their strongholds as well and achieve a final triumph,” the daily said.
Beijing last week expressed concern at the planned joint exercise, which reportedly will include a nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier battle group in close proximity to China’s territorial waters.
China will start six days of live-fire military exercises off its east coast later this week, state press reported Tuesday.
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