PYONGYANG, North Korea, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- North Korea's military said Sunday it will react to the South Korea and United States joint firing drill in the West Sea with a "merciless counterstrike."
The five-day drill, scheduled to begin Monday, is part of the two allies' efforts to better counter North Korean submarines, The Korea Herald reported.
"If a military provocation occurs, a merciless counterstrike will begin," North Korean military's western command said to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency. The military said it would begin a counterstrike as soon as any activity is detected within the country's waters.
"In relation to this, those living or working on or around the five West Sea islands should evacuate to safe areas before 9 a.m. on the 20th when the provocative firing drill begins," the command said.
