Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The British Branch of the Korean Friendship Association issued a statement on August 10 denouncing the U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises.

If the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces truly want dialogue and negotiations with the DPRK, they should stop at once Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises, the statement said, and went on:

The joint military exercises involving huge armed forces are provocative exercises for a war of aggression as they mean a denial of dialogue with the DPRK.

They are not only a threat to the sovereignty of the DPRK but a grave challenge to the peace in Asia and the rest of the world.

Unpardonable are these military maneuvers as they are aimed at invading the DPRK by force of arms and undermining its socialist system.

We strongly demand the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces stop at once Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises and all the provocations against the DPRK.