BBC: S Korea launches major war games [WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK]

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HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Thursday, 21 March, 2002, 04:15 GMT S Korea launches major war games North Korea has denounced the US-led manoeuvres http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1884000/1884546.stm By Caroline Gluck BBC Seoul correspondent Thousands of South Korean and American troops have begun a series of exercises, aimed at protecting South Korea against any external aggression. The week-long exercise, which started on Thursday, is one of the largest ever staged, merging for the first time two separate joint military drills. Neighbouring communist North Korea has reacted angrily, calling the drill a declaration of war. Pyongyang is still furious at being labelled part of an 'axis of evil' by President Bush The two Koreas still remain technically at war, as their three-year conflict ended in 1953 in an armistice that has never been replaced with a permanent peace treaty. Over the next week, the troops will undergo a range of training, including counter-infiltration exercises and other tests to evaluate the operational mobility of forces. The annual joint drills are being dramatically expanded, for the first time merging two separate field and post exercises for training efficiency. Denunciation Thirty-seven thousand American troops are based in South Korea to help counter any threat from North Korea. The two Koreas are still technically at war They will be joined in these drills by military units based in Japan, Guam and the United States. North Korea has denounced the joint war games, saying they showed that the allies plan to invade and overthrow its government. Military officials in South Korea say the exercises are purely defensive. They come at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and North Korea. Pyongyang is still furious at being labelled part of an "axis of evil" by US President George Bush. It reacted equally strongly to news reports that the US was considering using nuclear weapons against seven countries, including North Korea. For its part, South Korea is anxious to see dialogue between the US and North Korea get back on track. It believes talks are the only way to make progress in tackling security and other concerns. See also: 28 Feb 02 | Asia-Pacific US and S Korea plan major drill 14 Mar 02 | Asia-Pacific N Korea threatens nuclear pull-out 19 Feb 02 | Media reports N Korea attacks 'junket of war' 06 Feb 02 | Americas Analysis: The 'axis of evil' debate 21 Aug 00 | Asia-Pacific Seoul scales down war games Internet links: US Department of Defence South Korean Government North Korean Government The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Asia-Pacific stories now: S Korea launches major war games Tommy Suharto murder trial opens Chinese workers step up protests 'Manhunt' for N Korean defectors Embattled Taiwan minister quits N Korea 'must talk' with US Sandstorms choke Beijing Chinese man sues wife over abortion Links to more Asia-Pacific stories are at the foot of the page. --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================

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