Pyongyang threatens of ruthless retaliation

Pyongyang, Aug 22 : The North Korean military has on Tuesday threatened to respond in a ruthless way to the annual military exercise between South Korea and the US that began on Monday.

North Korea said it considered the maneouvres "extremely dangerous reckless action", Efe news reported.

The Kim Jong-un regime said it cannot avoid a "ruthless retaliation" as the allies have disregarded its warnings, warranting "merciless punishment", a statement released by the North Korean KCNA news agency said.

Amid one of the worst escalations between Pyongyang and Washington, South Korea and the US on Monday began their annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military exercises, involving about 67,500 soldiers.