News - World: North Korea says that the US military exercise with South Korea is driving the regional security environment into dangerous turmoil.

North Korean Leader’s sister Kim Yo Jong, scrutinizing a series of joint live-fire drills by the United States and South Korea, made the remarks on Wednesday.

“We will continue to build overwhelming and the most powerful military power to safeguard our sovereignty, security and regional peace,” KCNA quoted her as saying.

Her comments came after North Korea early Tuesday carried out its first nuclear counterattack drills to simulate its "nuclear trigger" management system.

During the maneuver, North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast.

The drill comes as a clear warning against Washington as it enhances its regional presence and boosts military alliance with North Korea and Japan.

The countries have expanded training and trilateral drills in the South China Sea.

According to KCNA, the drills came in response to a US-South Korean joint air drill, which kicked off on April 12 and will run until April 26.

North Korea says it is "seriously threatened by the hostile forces' ceaseless military provocations", therefor, it needs to "more overwhelmingly and more rapidly bolster up the strongest military muscle," KCNA said on Tuesday, adding that Pyongyang believes such military maneuvers amount to a rehearsal for invasion.

North Korea’s leader has repeatedly said his government is building up its military arsenal in preparation for war by the West that could "break out at any time" on the peninsula.

The launch is the second in less than a week by Pyongyang, which on Friday tested a "super-large warhead" designed for a strategic cruise missile.

Source: Press TV