United States: After another round of military exercises between the United States and South Korea, North Korea has issued a "realistic" threat of nuclear war and warned of a "catastrophic escalation" in the region.

Recent joint air exercises between Washington and Seoul, in which at least one US nuclear-capable B-52 bomber took part, was condemned by North Korea's foreign ministry in a statement released on Tuesday. The ministry claimed that the exercise only raised the prospect of conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

"The risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula is shifting from a hypothetical phase to a realistic phase due to the irresponsible actions of the United States and South Korea, which are focusing only on belligerent armed demonstrations filled with ammo, International Contrary to the community's desire to relieve tension and political stability," the ministry said the exercise "clearly" shows that the US is preparing for war with the DPRK.

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Another similar joint combat exercise, involving US B-1B strategic bombers, began last Friday. A third exercise simulating the US and South Korea's response to a DPRK missile attack will take place next week. In addition, the two allies will conduct the largest exercise in the region in the last five years, starting March 13 and lasting for 11 days.

The ministry continued, "The large-scale US-South Korean joint military exercises that will begin in a few days" are of an "aggressive nature", and they will "result in catastrophic escalation."

The "freeze for freeze" agreement, struck during the administration of former US President Donald Trump, called for the suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea in exchange for Pyongyang stopping nuclear tests.

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However, tensions have risen sharply since the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden. The DPRK has repeatedly condemned US-South Korean military activity as a buildup to an attack on the North and last year saw a record number of North Korean missile launches, including several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

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Missile tests continued until 2023, with North Korea continuing to launch missiles into the sea, while Washington and Seoul continued their joint military exercises.