Pyongyang condemns US-South Korea drills

JUNG YEON-JE / AFP (File Photo)

North Korea has criticised ongoing military drills between the US and South Korea even though the allies have considerably scaled back the exercises.

The annual spring war games usually involve thousands of troops, but the current week-long exercise is much smaller than in previous years.

US President Donald Trump agreed to shrink the military training apparently to keep room open for talks with North Korea. He has also said the drills are too expensive. 

However, Pyongyang has always criticised the exercises as a threat of invasion and says the drills violate agreements they have with the US and South Korea.

Seoul has responded to the North, saying the new drills are only defensive in nature.

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