North Korea threatens to turn US and South Korean armies into 'heap of ashes'

North Korea: North Korea has threatened to turn the US and South Korean armies into a “heap of ashes” during its criticism of the two country’s military after they were spotted carrying out joint military exercises. See video below

The United States and South Korea on Monday began their yearly military exercises, which provoked warnings of retaliation from North Korea in the form of a pre-emptive nuclear strike. 

Around 25,000 U.S. troops are joining in the Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, which will take place until September 2. 

The U.S led U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission said it had informed the North Korean army that the exercises were "non-provocative" in nature. 

North Korea state-run-television KRT news reader quoting a statement of the Korean People's Army (KPA) spokesman, said;

"From this moment, the First Strike Combined Units of the Korean People's Army are fully ready to mount a pre-emptive retaliatory strike at all enemy attack groups involved in Ulji Freedom Guardian."

"The nuclear warmongers should bear in mind that if they show the slightest sign of aggression, North Korea would turn the stronghold of provocation into a heap of ashes with a Korean-style pre-emptive nuclear strike," the KRT news reader added.