Nearly a week after the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercises ended, North Korean state media called for them to reach a “definite end” and called them a main stumbling block to reunification of the peninsula.

The joint U.S.-ROK UFG exercises, which started August 18 came to an end last Thursday, one day earlier than planned. The North, which consistently protests joint exercises between the U.S. and South Korea, continues to rail against the exercises in its state media. On Wednesday, the Rodong Sinmun blamed that drills between the U.S. and the “south Korean puppet group” were responsible for stagnant relations.

“The tension