North Korea requested an emergency meeting in the United Nations Security Council on Friday, to address upcoming U.S.- ROK joint military drills.

North Korea’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN Ri Tong Il made the renewed attempt to organize a UNSC meeting after a similar request made on July 21 was met with no response. Ri said the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercises are a provocative act that could spark conflict on the peninsula.

“The full responsibility of that (war) will lie upon the United States and the UN Security Council for illegally defending and supporting the U.S.” Ri said.