Nuke talks at risk: N Korea

North Korea yesterday said looming US-South Korea military drills could impact the proposed resumption of nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington, and hinted that it could reconsider its moratorium on nuclear testing.

It was the first statement from Pyongyang on the talks since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to their resumption at an impromptu meeting in the Demilitarized Zone in June.

"If the military exercise really goes ahead, it would affect the DPRK-US working-level talks," an unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson said.

The official described next month's drills as "clearly a breach" of a joint statement signed by the leaders in Singapore and hinted that Pyongyang may resume weapons tests in response.