Podcast
DPRK warns of clashes during exercises
Updated: 2010-06-30 11:48
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea warned on Tuesday that any accidental clash during an upcoming naval exercise by the United States and the Republic of Korea could spark war, as tensions remained high over the sinking of an ROK warship.
Minju Josun, the cabinet's official daily, accused the ROK and the US of "fabricating" facts about the sinking to incite a war against the communist state.
"It is as clear as day that a small accident during the joint military exercise could easily spread to an armed clash and eventually to an all-out war," it said, slamming the planned drill as provocative and dangerous.
The US and the ROK are planning a special naval exercise as a show of strength in response to the sinking, which they blame on the DPRK. No dates have been set.
In Seoul, the US-led UN Command on Tuesday dismissed North Korea's allegation that the US and the ROK brought heavy weapons to the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone dividing the peninsula.
The UN Command oversees the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. No peace treaty has been signed to replace the cease-fire. The US stations about 28,500 troops in the ROK as a deterrent against Pyongyang.
The DPRK's military said on Monday that US troops deployed heavy weapons to Panmunjom on Saturday and warned of strong military countermeasures if the weapons were not withdrawn.
The UN command in a statement said on Tuesday that it continues to abide by the armistice agreement and "did not move heavy weapons into Panmunjom on June 26."
Questions:
1. What is the name of the DPRK cabinet’s official daily?
2. Who is planning military exercises?
3. When was the Korean War?
Answers:
1. Minju Josun.
2. United States and the Republic of Korea.
3. 1950-1953.
（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.