The South Korean military has expressed “deep regret” after North Korea lambasted Seoul and Washington for their recent joint air drills and annual security talks.

Seoul’s defense ministry issued the remarks in a notice to the local press on Saturday, after Pyongyang criticized the allies for their Freedom Flag air drills and Security Consultative Meeting.

The ministry then said it strongly condemns Pyongyang’s ballistic missile test the previous day, urging the regime to immediately cease acts that escalate tensions between the two Koreas.

It also pledged to militarily support the government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.