PYONGYANG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday threatened a powerful military strike if the United States and South Korea launch joint military exercises, the official news agency KCNA reported.

The DPRK would "mercilessly destroy the aggression by mobilizing all the offensive and defensive means including nuclear deterrent" if they proceed with the drills next month, the KCNA reported.

The joint military drills staged by the United States and South Korea "light their true colors as war fanatics," said a statement released by a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.

The two countries are keen to "bring dark clouds of a nuclear war" over the Korean Peninsular, while "seeking escalated tensions and confrontation only," it said.