North Korea on Monday condemned a large-scale joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea, warning that it would exercise its right to ‘self-defence’ in the event of a provocation, state media reported.

North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol stated that the main task of the military is to protect national security against the 11-day large-scale drills between South Korea and the United States. The minister stated that these exercises pose a "real and serious threat".

The US stations around 28,500 troops in South Korea, and the allies regularly stage joint drills they describe as defensive in nature.

The warning was issued by North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang-chol a week before the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which is held annually in summer from August 18-28, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

“The Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will resolutely and firmly respond to the war drills of the United States and the South, and will exercise its right to defend its sovereignty with all its might,” the defense minister said in a statement through the North's Korean Central News Agency.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the warning was issued by North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol a week before the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which is held annually in summer from August 18-28.

DPRK is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.

The parties announced that most of the field exercises will be postponed and will be held separately next month, the reason for this is the weather conditions.This postponement is considered as an attempt by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who won the early elections held in June, to reduce tensions with Pyongyang.

In recent years, relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated to unprecedented levels as North Korea has developed nuclear strike capabilities and strengthened its military ties with Russia. (ILKHA)