North Korea promises a physical military response against U.S.

Hanoi - The North Korean government has vowed a physical military response against the United States due to the latest sanctions imposed by U.S. and its collaborative military exercises with South Korea.

Tensions between North Korea, South Korea and the United States are on the rise once again. After the U.S. imposed further sanctions on the Pyongyang government, they responded by vowing a militarily “physical response,” according to Press TV. At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in Hanoi on Friday, spokesperson for the North Korean delegation, Ri Tong Il, stated: “There will be physical response against the steps imposed by the United States, militarily. It is no longer the 19th century which... maintained the gunboat diplomacy.” The spokesperson added that the military exercises are “another expression of hostile policy against North Korea.” The Associated Press reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded to the government’s remarks by explaining that she is ready to sit down and negotiate with North Korea, however, these kinds of statements just hinder the discussions. “It is distressing when North Korea continues its threats and causes so much anxiety among its neighbors and the larger region,” said Clinton. “But we will demonstrate once again with our military exercises ... that the United States stands in firm support of the defense of South Korea and we will continue to do so." The U.S. defended its drills with South Korea by identifying them as only defensive exercises and not as a provocation, reports Al Jazeera. Furthermore, the planned military exercises will go ahead as scheduled. “They’re not meant as provocation,” said spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, PJ Crowley. “Actions by North Korea, including the sinking of the Cheonan ... those kinds of provocative steps do in fact pose a threat to security and stability in the region.”