Kim Yo Jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea issued a press statement.

The statement pointed out that the ongoing military drills are the most vivid expression of the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK, designed to stifle our state by force, and an unwelcoming act of self-destruction for which a dear price should be paid as they threaten the safety of our people and further imperil the situation on the Korean peninsula.

The statement stressed that now the U.S. doggedly pushes forward with the aggression war drills at such a sensitive time as now when the international eyes are focused on the development of the situation on the peninsula. It is indeed a chief architect destroying peace and stability in the region. This also proves that "diplomatic engagement" and " dialogue with no strings attached" touted by the present U.S. administration is hypocrisy to cover up its aggressive nature.

The statement stated that the DPRK will put more spur to further increasing the deterrent of absolute capacity to cope with the ever-growing military threats from the U.S., i.e the national defence capabilities and powerful preemptive strike for rapidly countering any military actions against the DPRK. In the statement, Kim Yo Jong expressed deep regret at the perfidious behavior of the south Korean authorities.

find the full version of the press statement at the Korean Central News Agency website(KCNA).