The U.S. staged joint naval maneuvers in waters off the Korean Peninsula with even a nuclear-powered carrier involved, again escalating tension, the statement said, and went on:

Such saber-rattling is an open nuclear threat and provocation to the DPRK.

The U.S. should stop all sorts of provocations to the Korean people and respect their independent right.

The south Korean conservative group subservient to U.S. imperialism is desperately kicking up an anti-DPRK racket, pursuant to the U.S. policy, while scheming to forcibly dissolve the Unified Progressive Party at home.

It is the intention of the group to deter the progressive forces from growing strong.

This once again proves that "democracy" touted by the south Korean puppet authorities is hypocritical, indeed.

The upper echelon of the south Korean regime is a group of traitors seeking to stay in power through alliance with imperialism and servants of international financial plutocrats.

We strongly demand the south Korean authorities immediately stop their suppression of the progressive forces and work for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.