According to reports, North Korea has reacted strongly to the upcoming South Korea-US joint military exercises. The exercise known as the Ulji Freedom Guardian exercises is to be held during August 20-31, 2012. The troops from seven United Nations Command states-Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway and France will be participating in the exercise as observers. North Korea however denounce this exercise as preparation for a nuclear war against the North by South Korea and the US. 1

• 1. “N. Korea blasts S. Korea-US military drill”, Korea Herald, August 4, 2012, at http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120804000109