DPRK accuses Seoul of declaring war

The DPRK has accused South Korea of declaring war by warning earlier this month that it would launch a preemptive strike if it thought its neighbor was preparing a nuclear attack.

Sunday's statement by the DPRK says it regards any such strike that the South might launch against it as an "open declaration of war."

The angry retort from Pyongyang is seen as a reaction to a comment made by South Korea's Defense Minister, Kim Tae-Young, last week. He stated that Seoul would have no choice but to strike first if there were clear signs of a planned nuclear assault by the DPRK.

KRT New Reader, DPRK Television, said, "We will take prompt and decisive military action against any attempt by the South Korean puppet authorities to violate the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK, and blow up major targets, including the command center."

On Wednesday, Kim told a seminar that South Korea would initiate a "preemptive attack" against the DPRK if there were ever undeniable indications that a nuclear attack was imminent.

KRT New Reader, DPRK Television, said, "So we have to recognize the threat as early as we can through intelligence efforts, and instantly launch a strike against the enemy if it is thought to have a clear intention of attack."

Late last week, Seoul said it hopes to see dormant international weapons negotiations resume next month between South Korea, the DPRK, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States.

The DPRK has also said it is willing to end a year-long boycott, and resume direct talks with the United States.

Washington insists that the DPRK must first drop any ambitions of developing nuclear weapons.