Pakistan, Aug. 11 -- North Korea has warned it will respond with "resolute counteraction" if provoked by upcoming joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. The warning came from North Korea's defence chief, No Kwang Chol, through state media on Monday. These annual drills, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, are scheduled from August 18 to 21 and aim to strengthen defence against North Korean threats.

The North Korean leader called the joint exercises a serious provocation and said the country's armed forces would take firm defensive action under their right to self-defence. North Korea has long condemned these drills as rehearsals for invasion and routinely reacts strongly whenever they occur. However, Pyongyang insis...