The United States said on Tuesday that the joint military exercises with South Korea are purely defensive and that the U.S. holds no hostile intent toward North Korea.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price made the remarks on Tuesday during a news briefing when asked to comment on the North's criticism of the joint drills.

Price said he had no comment on the statement issued by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, but reiterated that the joint military drills are purely defensive in nature.

The spokesperson added that as the U.S. has long maintained, it harbors no hostile intent towards North Korea.

He also said that the U.S. remains committed to the combined defense posture and security of South Korea in line with the ironclad U.S.-South Korea alliance. 

Price then reaffirmed Washington's support of inter-Korean dialogue and engagement, saying that the U.S. will continue to work with its South Korean partner towards that end.