North Korea to South Korea: Let's Not Be Hostile, We'll Keep Our Nuke Program But Cancel Your Military Drill With the U.S.

South Korea says the drill is defensive and will continue as scheduled

North Korea proposed Thursday that the rival Koreas halt hostile military actions and mutual vilification to build better relations. But it said it would maintain its nuclear weapons program, while urging South Korea to cancel upcoming military drills with the United States.

Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said South Korea would go ahead with the drills, which he insisted were defensive in nature. South Korea's government is expected to issue an official response to North Korea's proposal on Friday, he said.