North Korean propaganda outlet on Wednesday lashed out at military exercises that South Korea plans to conduct on its own without U.S. troops, even though Seoul and Washington have scaled back their joint drills as part of efforts to keep the dialogue mood with the North alive. In a commentary, Uriminzokkiri said the South Korean military's Ssangyong and Ulchi Taegeuk exercises are a "vicious challenge" to hopes for peace and a violation of the agreements reached between the two Koreas.
The Ulchi Taegeuk exercise slated for late May is designed to replace the summertime South Korea-U.S. military training as part of efforts to support diplomacy for denuclearization.
The U.S. has also decided not to send any troops or equipment to this year's annual combined regiment-level Ssangyong amphibious landing exercise next month, apparently to facilitate ongoing talks with the North.
Yet, Uriminzokkiri called for the suspension of all "war trainings," saying they could lead to the breakdown of inter-Korean relations.
"South Korean military's provocations, which became more brutal this year, are an act of betrayal that goes against the Panmunjom and September Pyongyang declarations," it said. "Any act that causes the situation to deteriorate should never be tolerated."
Meari, another propaganda website, also said the South Korean military should contemplate the negative results those drills could bring about.