The White House says North Korea’s warning to foreigners to evacuate South Korea is "more unhelpful rhetoric" that only escalates tensions.

White House spokesman Jay Carney on Tuesday told reporters the North Korea continued to issue provocative statements and bellicose rhetoric over the past few weeks and it is the people of North Korea who will have to face the consequences.

Carney called on the North to choose a path of peace and fulfill its duties for the international community as urged by U.S. President Barack Obama.

U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell called the North’s warning to foreigners to evacuate the South “unnecessary provocation.” He said that the U.S. will not stop U.S. citizens' visit to South Korea nor recommend they take special precautions.

Ventrall added that he received a report from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that there are no signs of an "imminent threat to U.S. citizens or facilities" in South Korea.