国际英语新闻：Security of South Korean civil airplanes near DPRK territory not guaranteed, says DPRK

PYONGYANG, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned on Thursday that it will not guarantee the safe flights of South Korean airplanes, including civil ones, within or near its territory, as a counter measure to the upcoming joint U.S- South Korea military drills.

    A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued a statement denouncing the joint military exercises to take place on March 9, the official KCNA news agency said.

    The military drills are a grave provocation to the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK and a criminal act against peace, the spokesman said.

    "It is, therefore, compelled to declare that security cannot be guaranteed for South Korean civil airplanes flying through the territorial air of our side and its vicinity, its territorial air and its vicinity above the East Sea of Korea, in particular, while the military exercises are under way," he said.

    He did not elaborate what measures the DPRK will take against South Korean airplanes.

    The DPRK military force "will never allow any slightest provocation or its signs in the sky, land and sea, but deal decisive and devastating blows," he said.

    The annual drills, code-named the Key Resolve and the Foal Eagle, will be held in South Korea from March 9 to 20. About 26,000 U.S. and South Korea troops will take part.