North Korea blames South for 'reckless war games,' threatens retaliation

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- North Korea has criticized South Korea for its ongoing military drill, claiming it is an "intensive maneuver to destroy the inter-Korean relations."

Pyongyang has long voiced its opposition to the annual Hoguk Drills. The military exercise involves more than 330,000 troops and, Seoul says, is aimed at improving coordination between the branches of South Korea's military.

Last week, North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement regarding the "reckless war games," claiming that "They aim to further complete preparations by collaborating with their master, the U.S., for a nuclear war against us."

The North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper wrote on Monday that the 12-day exercise constitutes another instance in a series of "atrocious military provocations." Pyongyang warned that the drill further jeopardizes the possibility of holding senior-level talks and warned "the invaders will be burnt to death by the fire they have set if they continue to ignore our sincere efforts and launch fire."

The Hoguk Drills began on Nov. 10 and are scheduled to conclude on Nov. 21.