The drills, which will kick off next week, are a "direct military provocation" against North Korea, Pyongyang said.

North Korea warns of "resolute counteraction" to US-South Korea military drills, amidst signs of easing tensions between North and South Korea. Annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises set for August 18-28 aim to contain nuclear-armed North,

North Korea has denounced a major joint exercise planned by the South Korean and US militaries as "direct military provocation" and warned of counteraction, despite signs of easing tension across the border under a new leader in Seoul.