Pyongyang, August 21 (KCNA) -- The German Branch of the Korean Friendship Association issued a statement on August 17 denouncing the U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises.

The statement said:

The United States and the south Korean authorities started the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises despite the repeated warnings of the DPRK.

Such provocation will vitiate the atmosphere of dialogue and drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula to an extreme phase as it is a dangerous saber-rattling simulating the aggression of the north.

We bitterly condemn the south Korean puppet clique for its reckless war moves in collusion with the U.S imperialists.

The statement urged the U.S. and the south Korean authorities to stop at once the joint military exercises to show that they are sincere in their attitude toward dialogue and peace.