DPRK military says to nullify Korean war armistice agreement

The supreme military command of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Tuesday that it would nullify the Korean War Armistice Agreement from Monday, the same day when South Korea and the United States plan to stage a joint military drill. In response to the United States and South Korea's "hostile" policies, the Korean People's Army (KPA) would carry out more and stronger countermeasures, a KPA spokesperson said on state TV. Meanwhile, the DPRK has also decided to halt from Monday the work of its delegation at Panmunjom, where DPRK and South Korean delegates usually meet for communication and negotiations. South Korean and U.S. forces are set to start a two-week war game on Monday to enhance defense readiness. The "Key Resolve" program is to involve 10,000 South Korean troops and 3,500 U.S. troops. Such military moves usually draw strongly worded responses from the DPRK. A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday that Beijing expects all parties "to do more to ease tensions on the peninsula and promote regional peace and stability." The DPRK conducted its third nuclear test on Feb. 12, which drew condemnations from across the international community. The United States and some other countries are pressing for stricter sanctions against Pyongyang at the UN Security Council.