'We could stumble needlessly into what would be the biggest crisis in East Asia since the United States intervened in the Korean War in 1950,' Pollack warned.
'The situation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula is so tense that a nuclear war may break out due to the frantic war drills of the US imperialists and their vassal forces for aggression,' Gen Pak Yong Sik told a meeting of thousands of senior military and civilian officials.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was closely watching North Korean military action in the Wonsan city area, where it said the drills were being held.
The exercise involved 300 to 400 artillery pieces, but an official from Seoul's Defense Ministry couldn't confirm the details.
Flower-laying and bowing at statues and portraits of the leaders is a regular routine on major anniversaries. People also gathered in open spaces to take part in organized dancing, another common way to mark holidays.
'Our great leaders founded and wisely led our revolutionary army, and just like that, now our respected Marshal Kim Jong-Un is leading wisely, so even though the situation is tense, we are celebrating the day,' said Choe Un Byol, who came with his family to the bronze statues of the former leaders.
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The USS Michigan (pictured), a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan in what was described as a routine visit to rest the crew and load supplies. Cmdr Jang Wook from South Korean navy public affairs said there was no plan for a drill
+26
+26
South Korea's military said Tuesday North Korea held live-fire drills in an area around its eastern coastal town of Wonsan as it marked the anniversary of the founding of its military. The exercise may have been the North's 'largest ever' and leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw it (left)
+26
Meanwhile, senior Koreas analyst, Jonathan Pollack, says the back-and-forth threats between the US and North Korea could cause the US to 'stumble needlessly' into war. A young girl celebrates the 85th anniversary of North Korea's military
+26
North Korea often also marks significant dates by displaying its military capability. It launched a missile one day after the 105th birthday of late founder Kim Il Sung on April 15. People gathered in open spaces to take part in organized dancing (pictured)
North Korea often also marks significant dates by displaying its military capability. It launched a missile one day after the 105th birthday of late founder Kim Il Sung on April 15.
Recent US commercial satellite images indicate increased activity around North Korea's nuclear test site, and third-generation dictator Jong-Un has said the country's preparation for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch is in its 'final stage'.
The USS Michigan, a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan in what was described as a routine visit to rest the crew and load supplies.
Cmdr Jang Wook from South Korean navy public affairs said there was no plan for a drill.
The submarine's arrival comes as the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier headed toward the Korean Peninsula for a joint exercise with South Korea. The US 7th Fleet said two American destroyers were conducting simultaneous maritime exercises with naval ships from South Korea and Japan.
+26
Nikki Haley, Trump's UN ambassador, said the US is not looking for a fight with Kim Jong-Un and would not attack the country 'unless he gives us reason to do something'. She also praised China's increased pressure on North Korea
'The situation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula is so tense that a nuclear war may break out due to the frantic war drills of the US imperialists and their vassal forces for aggression,' Gen Pak Yong Sik told a meeting of thousands of senior military and civilian officials.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was closely watching North Korean military action in the Wonsan city area, where it said the drills were being held.
The exercise involved 300 to 400 artillery pieces, but an official from Seoul's Defense Ministry couldn't confirm the details.
Flower-laying and bowing at statues and portraits of the leaders is a regular routine on major anniversaries. People also gathered in open spaces to take part in organized dancing, another common way to mark holidays.
'Our great leaders founded and wisely led our revolutionary army, and just like that, now our respected Marshal Kim Jong-Un is leading wisely, so even though the situation is tense, we are celebrating the day,' said Choe Un Byol, who came with his family to the bronze statues of the former leaders.
+26
The USS Michigan (pictured), a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan in what was described as a routine visit to rest the crew and load supplies. Cmdr Jang Wook from South Korean navy public affairs said there was no plan for a drill
+26
+26
South Korea's military said Tuesday North Korea held live-fire drills in an area around its eastern coastal town of Wonsan as it marked the anniversary of the founding of its military. The exercise may have been the North's 'largest ever' and leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw it (left)
+26
Meanwhile, senior Koreas analyst, Jonathan Pollack, says the back-and-forth threats between the US and North Korea could cause the US to 'stumble needlessly' into war. A young girl celebrates the 85th anniversary of North Korea's military
+26
North Korea often also marks significant dates by displaying its military capability. It launched a missile one day after the 105th birthday of late founder Kim Il Sung on April 15. People gathered in open spaces to take part in organized dancing (pictured)
North Korea often also marks significant dates by displaying its military capability. It launched a missile one day after the 105th birthday of late founder Kim Il Sung on April 15.
Recent US commercial satellite images indicate increased activity around North Korea's nuclear test site, and third-generation dictator Jong-Un has said the country's preparation for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch is in its 'final stage'.
The USS Michigan, a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan in what was described as a routine visit to rest the crew and load supplies.
Cmdr Jang Wook from South Korean navy public affairs said there was no plan for a drill.
The submarine's arrival comes as the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier headed toward the Korean Peninsula for a joint exercise with South Korea. The US 7th Fleet said two American destroyers were conducting simultaneous maritime exercises with naval ships from South Korea and Japan.
+26
Nikki Haley, Trump's UN ambassador, said the US is not looking for a fight with Kim Jong-Un and would not attack the country 'unless he gives us reason to do something'. She also praised China's increased pressure on North Korea
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