South Korea Expresses Regret Over North's Threats to Conduct Nuke Strike

South Korea expressed regret over North Korea's threats to deal a preemptive nuclear strike on the United States and the South at the slightest hint of provocation, Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman for the Ministry of Unification, said Monday.

SEOUL (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Pyongyang said that the North Korean army was ready to launch a preemptive nuclear strike in the event of an attack by groups involved in the ongoing South Korean-US joint drills.

"It is regrettable that North Korea threatens to conduct a pre-emptive nuclear attack on the South… North Korea should suspend its nuclear and missile programs and make the right choice," Jeong was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.

The annual military exercise, codenamed Ulchi Freedom Guardian, by US and South Korean troops kicked off on Monday and will last until September 2. It brings together tens of thousands of soldiers for two weeks of drills that simulate a full-scale invasion by North Korea.