N Korea Threatens Truce Breach

February 17, 2003

North Korea has threatened to pull out of the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War, accusing the United States of breaking the terms of the truce.

CRISIS CHRONOLOGY

16 Oct: US announces that N Korea has acknowledged secret nuclear programme

14 Nov: US halts oil shipments to N Korea

22 Dec: N Korea removes monitoring devices at Yongbyon nuclear plant

31 Dec: UN nuclear inspectors forced to leave North Korea

10 Jan: N Korea pulls out of anti-nuclear treaty

28 Jan: President Bush urges the "oppressive" N Korean regime to give up its nuclear ambitions

12 Feb: IAEA refers issue to Security Council


Timeline of tensions

The statement, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), accused the United States of breaking the truce by bolstering its forces in the region and mounting a naval blockade.

Earlier on Monday, the United States and South Korea announced they would stage joint military exercises in South Korea next month, in a move which was thought likely to heighten tensions with the North.

The two countries have been at loggerheads with each other over the last few months after it was revealed North Korea planned to revive its nuclear programme.

Although the armistice agreement ended the Korean War in 1953, the North and South have never signed a peace treaty.

"The agreement that was signed to provide a peaceful solution to the Korean issue has been systematically ditched by the US and used for the purpose of its hostile policy towards the DPRK [North Korea]," said a Korean People's Army spokesman in the statement.

"If the US side continues violating and misusing the armistice agreement as it pleases, there will be no need for the DPRK to remain bound to the AA [armistice agreement] uncomfortably."

North Korea has already warned the US against any military build-up in the region.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2774003.stm