The United States says that belligerent rhetoric by North Korea in regards to the ongoing bilateral military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. is unwarranted.

In a daily briefing, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the exercises are "defensive in nature" and that the two sides routinely conduct joint military exercises. He said North Korea was notified about the exercises on February 14th.

One day prior to the start of the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills between South Korea and the U.S., the North released a statement in which it vowed to turn Seoul into a "sea of fire" if it is provoked.