The Ulji Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint U.S.-ROK military drills began Monday amid threats of pre-emptive military strikes from North Korea.

The drills, which are set to run until August 29, have continually come under fire from North Korea for what it deems to be a rehearsal for an invasion and nuclear war.

The threats continued on Monday with a spokesman for the General staff of Korean People’s Army (KPA) issuing an inflammatory statement on the state run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

“The UFG is dangerous nuclear war drills aimed to mount a surprise pre-emptive strike at the DPRK under