Update at 2000 KST: This article has been amended to include comments made by Moon Jae-in to a delegation from the U.S. Senate.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday called for North Korea to recognize that its “continuous provocations” are responsible for the “vicious cycle” of joint military drills by South Korea and the U.S.

Moon’s comments come as the U.S. and South Korean military begin the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint military exercises.

“North Korea shouldn’t distort our efforts to keep peace, and shouldn’t make a provocative act that worsens the situation using (joint military drills) as