In a statement in the state-run KCNA news agency, the Foreign Ministry’s foreign policy office denounced the latest naval and air moves by the US, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand and Australia in waters off the Korean Peninsula.

These actions, it said, infringe the security interests of the Indo-Pacific countries and aggravate military tensions in the region.

In particular, it recalled that an Australian warship and helicopters made incursions into areas bordering the Korean Peninsula and threatened the maritime and air security of neighboring states, increasing the possibility of an armed conflict.

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that similar moves are being made under the pretext of a United Nations Security Council’s resolution on the enforcement of sanctions against the DPRK, disregarding the principle of sovereignty and non-intervention in the internal affairs of states.

It also expressed its concern about the “irresponsible behavior” by some countries that, far from their borders and against their interests, thus join the hegemonic strategy of the United States.

If meddling is the policy pursued by those nations toward our country, we will be forced to reconsider our position toward them, the statement warned.

The DPRK will take necessary measures to firmly defend the sovereignty and security of the State after making a rigorous analysis on worrisome acts by Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and other countries involved in “anti-Korea sanctions surveillance,” it stressed.

Last week, the DPRK also condemned US attempts to revive a recently dismantled UN panel of experts that monitored compliance with sanctions against it. Kim Son Gyong, deputy foreign minister in charge of international organizations, said that as soon as this mechanism was disbanded, Washington began to make “strenuous efforts” to fabricate a substitute for it in order to continue to violate he right of a sovereign State to exist.

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