Seoul: North Korea warned Sunday of a possible "merciless" pre-emptive strike as it blasted an upcoming joint US-South Korean military exercise as a rehearsal for nuclear war.
South Korea vowed to go ahead from Monday with the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian drill, which is aimed at testing readiness to combat any North Korean invasion.
Although largely played out on computers, the exercise involves tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops.
"We declare once again that we will mercilessly open the strongest pre-emptive strike of our own style any time at our discretion," it said.
"Our troops will strongly retaliate against any provocations from North Korea," the South's joint chiefs of staff warned in a statement.
UN resolutions bar the North from any launches using ballistic missile technology.
Seoul had proposed holding high-level talks with Pyongyang to discuss family reunions for those separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and other issues of "mutual interest".
South Korea vowed to go ahead from Monday with the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian drill, which is aimed at testing readiness to combat any North Korean invasion.
Although largely played out on computers, the exercise involves tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops.
"We declare once again that we will mercilessly open the strongest pre-emptive strike of our own style any time at our discretion," it said.
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"Our troops will strongly retaliate against any provocations from North Korea," the South's joint chiefs of staff warned in a statement.
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UN resolutions bar the North from any launches using ballistic missile technology.
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Seoul had proposed holding high-level talks with Pyongyang to discuss family reunions for those separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and other issues of "mutual interest".
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