North Korea's main newspaper slammed South Korea on Friday over its joint training with the United States to enforce U.N.-led sanctions against the communist nation, calling it a move that runs counter to the peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.In a commentary, the Rodong Sinmun said the allies' joint exercises, including the one to crack down on illegal ship-to-ship transfers recently held near the southern Jeju Island, are causing "serious concerns."
"These joint training exercises that the South Korean military held with the U.S. go against people's aims and the international community's demands," it said.
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel, the USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750), held a joint drill with the South Korea's Coast Guard last month to combat the North's maritime sanctions evasions, such as illicit ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and goods.
"Joint military training with foreign forces, which is the root of the tension on the Korean Peninsula, should not be allowed, and the deployment of military equipment from outside, including strategic assets, should also be completely suspended," the newspaper said.
North Korean propaganda outlets have been running similar articles denouncing joint drills between Seoul and Washington.
Meari, one of the North's propaganda websites, said, "Cooperation with foreign forces is the root of the breakdown of North-South relations."