North Korea News: Kim Jong Un Warns Of Retaliation Over US-South Korea’s ‘Madcap Mid-Winter’ Drills

North Korea has warned of retaliation over South Korea's and U.S. Marines' military exercises on the ski slopes of Pyeongchang. Pyongyang has reportedly termed the exercises, in which over 300 Marines are taking, "madcap mid-winter" drills.

The drills, which were conducted on the ski slopes of Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, began on Jan.15 and will end on Feb.3. The military exercises come amid growing speculation that North Korea is planning another missile test in defiance of U.N. resolutions.

"U.S. Marine Corps and ROK (Republic of Korea) Marine Corps partnered together at every level to build a camaraderie and friendship of the two countries’ militaries but also to increase our proficiency in the event where we have to fight a war together," U.S. Captain Marcus Carlstrom told reporters, according to Reuters.

About 28,500 U.S. troops have been sent to South Korea in as part of a defense team against North Korea, which has faced several U.N. sanctions over a series of nuclear and missile tests.

"The colonial puppet forces, no more than a rabble, are keen on escalating the tension and the moves to ignite a war at a time when even their American master is at a loss how to cope with the DPRK's powerful nuclear deterrent," North Korea's Minju Joson newspaper, quoted by the KCNA news agency, said. "... If the South Korean warmongers ignite a war against the DPRK, totally counting on the U.S., the revolutionary forces of the DPRK will wipe out the aggressors to the last man by fully displaying their tremendous might ..."

In recent months, North Korea has carried out several ballistic missile tests and ramped up its nuclear program, increasing tensions with the West and its southern neighbor. Most recently, Pyongyang's leader hinted in his New Year's address that North Korea was again set to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

On Friday, South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said that North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles were "a direct and substantive threat," adding he has ordered thorough military readiness, Yonhap news agency reported.