North Korea threatens ‘merciless strike’ over U.S.-South Korea military exercises

North Korea has declared that the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military exercise the U.S. plans to hold with South Korea is "reckless behavior driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war."

According to CNN, the reclusive Asian nation made the statement Sunday in an official state newspaper, warning that "The Korean People's Army is keeping a high alert, fully ready to contain the enemies. It will take resolute steps the moment even a slight sign of the preventive war is spotted."

Pyongyang also declared the North Korean army could target the U.S. anytime and warned that the U.S. mainland would not be able to "dodge the merciless strike," the outlet reported.

The U.S. Department of Defense, or DoD, confirmed Friday that the exercises would take place August 21 to 31.

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"Ulchi Freedom Guardian is a computer-simulated defensive exercise designed to enhance readiness, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula, defense officials said," the DoD news release notes. "About 17,500 U.S. service members will participate, with about 3,000 coming from installations outside South Korea, the officials said."

Despite decades of such training exercises, this year's activities are occurring amid heightened rhetoric between President Trump and North Korean officials.

Earlier this month, Trump said, "North Korea best not make anymore threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."