North Korea warned the United States today it would build up its military to counter what it said was a US strong-arm policy against the communist state.
"The US escalated policy intended to stifle the DPRK [the Democratic People's Republic of Korea] compels the DPRK to increase its military capabilities for self-defense to cope with it," the ruling party daily
Rodong Sinmun
said in a statement.
"The Bush government is still pursuing the hardline policy to contain the DPRK though it calls for the resumption of dialogue without any precondition," said the commentary, carried on North's Korea Central News Agency.
The statement said the United States was using its anti-terrorism campaign as an excuse to boost its forces in South Korea.
US officials have said troops and weapons shifted from South Korea to Afghanistan have been replenished.