North Korea says the remains of thousands of American soldiers killed during the Korean war are being moved due to construction projects and flood damage.



The US suspended efforts to recover war remains in North Korea over the country’s plans to launch a long-range rocket in 2012. About 8,000 US service members are listed as missing from the 1950-53 war.



An unidentified North Korean military spokesman said in a statement Monday that American soldiers’ remains are “left here and there uncared and carried away en masse” because of building projects, land reorganisation and flood damage.



Analysts say the north’s statement is aimed at pressuring Washington to resume the recovery project as a way to get money and improve ties with the US.