North Korean state media claimed on Thursday that South Korean President Park Geun-hye is attempting to diffuse an ongoing political scandal by provoking a war.

In an article published by KCNA, the North slammed Park for using “trite method(s)” to divert public attention whenever South Koreans are confronted by “catastrophe.”

The embattled South Korean President has been engulfed by a scandal dubbed ‘Choi Soon-Sil Gate‘ by media. Choi, an old friend of Park’s, is alleged to have been an unauthorized adviser and may have intervened in state affairs.

“Timed to coincide with the recent crisis facing Park, the puppet forces staged all forms of joint military exercises while vociferating about ‘provocation from North Korea’ at confabs held with their U.S. master every day,” KCNA said.

South Korean military conducts the annual Hoguk Exercise from October 31 to November 11.

The KCNA article said the arrival of a U.S. strategic nuclear-powered submarine was also part of Seoul’s plan to focus public attention elsewhere. The nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) arrived at Apra Harbor in Guam on October 30.

The North argued that Park had resorted to “extreme confrontation” with the North by severing all inter-Korean ties and setting a “collapse” timetable, a reference to remarks made on October 27 by Woo Sang-ho, floor leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party.

The KCNA article reiterated Park would take another “reckless action” and pledged to deal with it with decisive manner.

“They (the army and people of the DPRK) are fully determined to make a thousand-fold revenge on Park if she dares provoke the DPRK in order to survive,” KCNA added.

NORTH KOREA’S SPECIAL FORCES

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised military drills of “a special operation battalion under KPA Unit 525,” KCNA reported on Friday.

KCNA said the basic mission of the combatants in the battalion was “to wipe out the human scum who have committed thrice-cursed high treasons, holding important posts at Cheongwadae, the puppet government, and the military.”

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification (MoU) argued on Friday that North Korea’s drills were a response to Seoul’s countermeasures against possible North Korean provocations.

“It (the North) shows their determination to keep making a provocation,” a MoU spokesperson told reporters during a briefing. “And there is an implication that [the North] will strengthen combat forces in various aspects including special forces.”

In September, South Korean Defense Minister, Han Min-koo, acknowledged the Ministry of National Defense (MND) had a plan to kill Kim Jong Un as part of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) plan.

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