PYONGYANG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached an unprecedented level in 2017 due to a nuclear test and multiple missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and constant U.S.-South Korea joint military drills.

The crisis has also been worsened by the exchange of personal insults and confrontational rhetoric raising the specter of war between the United States and the DPRK.

Many describe the situation on the Korean Peninsula as the greatest threat to international peace and security and the international community remains concerned that any miscalculation or misunderstanding could lead to unexpected, even disastrous consequences.

DEFIANT DPRK

The DPRK conducted several missile tests this year, including three involving intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and an alleged H-bomb test in disregard of the various UN resolutions banning it from such activities.

Its actions have drawn worldwide condemnation and prompted the UN Security Council to impose even tougher sanctions.

The DPRK justifies its nuclear and missile programs as a sovereign right of self-defense against the threat of the United States, and has vowed to continue strengthening its nuclear and missile capabilities.

Pyongyang also threatens to launch a missile attack on the U.S. pacific island of Guam, which serves as the base of strategic bombers frequently visiting South Korea.

It also claimed the "Hwasong-15" ICBM it tested on Nov. 29 is "capable of striking the whole mainland of the United States."

U.S.-SOUTH KOREAN JOINT DRILLS

While the DPRK is going further in its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, the United States and South Korea have upped the ante by holding frequent large-scale joint military drills in South Korea and waters near the peninsula.

With tens of thousands of troops in South Korea, the United States has sent three aircraft carrier groups, B-1B strategic bombers, stealth fighters, nuclear submarines and other strategic assets to the peninsula for war games. It also carried out a number of ICBM tests simulating strikes against the DPRK.

The military maneuvers were accompanied by dangerous rhetoric by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to "totally destroy" the DPRK if it continued to pose a threat to America.

Washington has so far refused to hold talks with Pyongyang, demanding that the latter halt its nuclear and missile programs first.

INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said earlier this month that any military action on the Korean Peninsula would have "devastating and unpredictable consequences."

His remarks were echoed by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, who noted that the international community has to "exhaust every avenue for diplomacy and dialogue."

UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visited the DPRK in December and said after the visit that it is important to "open or re-open technical channels of communication such as military-to-military hotline to reduce risk and signal intention to prevent misunderstanding and manage any crisis."

Meanwhile, South Korea has also expressed willingness to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis, rejecting any military option. In a conciliatory gesture, it invited the DPRK to take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

China, which shares a land border with the DPRK, has made it clear it wants a nuclear-free, peaceful Korean Peninsula, and has been strenuously working toward that end, including proposing a political solution based on a suspension-for-suspension proposal and a dual-track approach.

The suspension-for-suspension initiative calls for the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and missile activities and for the United States and South Korea to suspend their large-scale war games. The dual-track approach involves parallel efforts to move forward both denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korea Peninsula.

The Chinese proposal has won extensive support from the international community, which in recent months adamantly called for a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.