N. Korea blames US threat for aborting envoy's trip

North Korea says it rescinded its recent invitation to a US envoy because Washington perpetrated "grave provocation" by allegedly mobilizing nuclear-capable bombers during recent military drills with Seoul.

Bob King, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights, had been scheduled to visit North Korean on Friday to seek the release of an American detainee. An unidentified North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in remarks carried by state media late Saturday that his country intended to allow King's visit although the US and South Korea were conducting annual drills. (AP)