North Korea has slammed the joint military drill between South Korea and the U.S., saying the reckless war game has put the Korean Peninsula into an unpredictable crisis.

In a statement issued by the North Korean military's Panmunjom truce village representative on Tuesday, the North said the U.S. has ignored its warning to act cautiously. 

It went on to say that as the U.S. has launched a dangerous military provocation, it will face ruthless retaliation and punishment. The statement was reported by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA). 

Noting the visit of top U.S. military commanders to Seoul in time for the Ulchi Freedom Guardian(UFG) joint drill, the North said history shows that the appearance of U.S. military leaders in hot zones has always led to flames of war.  

The KCNA also issued a criticism on Monday, calling the UFG a “war rehearsal for invading North Korea.”

Last year, North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile on the third day of the annual UFG joint drill.

U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Harry Harris, Strategic Command head Gen. John Hyten and Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves are scheduled to hold a press conference at a U.S. Forces Korea base on Tuesday. 

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