US military aircraft conducted more than 1,200 espionage flights over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from January to June this year, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday.  

The United States used advanced espionage planes like U-2, RC-135, E-8C, E-3, RC-7B, RC-12, RF-4, P-3 and EP-3 in the reconnaissance for different missions, said the report.

At an average rate of more than six flights a day, the air reconnaissance indicated that the United States was making war preparations as it was shipping massive up-to-date military equipment into South Korea and relocating its troops in South Korea, said the KCNA.

The reconnaissance has proved that Washington is looking for a chance to launch preemptive attacks on the DPRK while stepping up its preparations for a war behind the curtain of the six-party talks, according to the report.  

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2004)