The statement said that the U.S. and south Korea are terming Ulji Freedom Guardian "transparent and defensive" and "annual and open" ones in order to conceal their criminal nature but it is a sheer lie.

The war rehearsal is the one for a preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK like the past drills, the statement said, adding:

The DPRK urged the U.S. and the south Korean regime several times to stop the joint military drills in order to mend the north-south relations and create a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula this year marking the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

The U.S. and south Korean authorities are ratcheting up tension on the Korean Peninsula and driving the situation to the brink of a war.

The U.S. and south Korean authorities' claim that their drills are to cope with the "threat from the north" is shameless and no one will believe it.

The Korean People's Army will respond to the moves of the hostile forces with powerful military counteraction in order to defend the DPRK's dignity and sovereignty.