(CNN)North Korea warned it would make a “preemptive and offensive nuclear strike” in response to joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises that began Monday.
The news was announced in a statement by the National Defense Commission of North Korea and published in the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
“As the joint military exercises to be staged by the enemies are regarded as the most undisguised nuclear war drills aimed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, its military counteraction will be more preemptive and offensive nuclear strike to cope with them,” the statement read.
The United States responded with a call for caution.
“We urge North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and statements that aggravate tensions and instead focus on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments,” a senior administration official said Monday. “We are closely monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula in coordination with our Republic of Korea allies.”
North Korea’s bellicose words are typical around the time of annual military exercises, according to CNN’s Paula Hancocks. READ MORE OF THIS STORY
