North Korea warns of 'security crisis' if US, South Korea escalate tensions
A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva on Oct 2, 2014.
PHOTO: Reuters file
PUBLISHED ONAugust 11, 2021 2:39 AM
SEOUL - North Korea said South Korea and the United States are risking a "huge security crisis" by choosing to escalate tensions, North Korea state media reported on Wednesday (Aug 11) citing a top Workers' Party official.
Kim Yong-chol, a general and politician who played a leading role during historic summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former US President Donald Trump, criticised South Korea and the United States for responding to Pyongyang's goodwill with "hostile acts".
The statement comes a day after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un, warned Seoul and Washington over annual joint military drills set to begin this week.
North Korea did not answer routine calls on inter-Korean hotlines on Tuesday, South Korea said.
On Wednesday, Kim Yong-chol singled out South Korea for going ahead with the drills with the United States and said North Korea will "make clear of the cost they should pay" for choosing their alliance with Washington over peace between the Koreas.
"We will have them realise what a dangerous choice they made and how close they are to a huge security crisis by making the wrong choice," he said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA.
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