The statement said:

The situation on the Korean peninsula is being driven into an extreme pitch of strain owing to the ceaseless war exercises of the U.S. imperialists.

Recently U.S. Secretary of State Kerry and former U.S. President Bush malignantly slandered the DPRK, a socialist country centered on the popular masses.

This proves once again that the U.S. has no intention to recognize the independent right of the DPRK and its socialist system.

Now the DPRK is taking positive measures to defuse tensions and create a peaceful circumstance.

The respected H.E. Kim Jong Un in his New Year Address clarified the realistic ways for opening a new historic turning point for Korea's reunification.

The National Defence Commission of the DPRK sent a crucial proposal and open letter to south Korea.

However, the U.S. imperialists and south Korean authorities kicked off the large-scale joint military exercises targeted at the DPRK.

We demand the U.S. and south Korean authorities stop at once the large-scale joint military exercises and behave themselves.