North Korea condemns Japan-U.S. military drills as 'war rehearsal'

Key facts

• North Korea condemned joint military exercises between Japan and the U.S. as a 'war rehearsal'.
• The KCNA editorial accused Japan of sharpening its 'invasion capability' by deepening military ties with the U.S.
• North Korea warned Japan of a 'tragic end' if it persists in 'reckless' military behavior.
• The Resolute Dragon exercise began June 20 in Okinawa and Kyushu, Japan.

North Korea on Monday condemned the ongoing joint military exercise between Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces and the United States Marine Corps, labeling it a 'war rehearsal.'

In an editorial carried Monday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea criticized Japan for participating in the Resolute Dragon exercise, accusing it of sharpening its 'invasion capability.'

'Japan has aggravated the (security) situation in the region by deepening its military ties with the U.S.,' the editorial claimed, also referencing Iron Fist, a separate U.S.-Japan combined exercise held in February.