North Korea denounced a joint U.S.-ROK visit to a nuclear submarine training facility this week as a “nuclear war demonstration against the DPRK,” labeling the allies’ “hostile” military drills as comparable to a “declaration of war.”

The foreign ministry statement released Friday came hours after the allies revealed details of bilateral tabletop exercises on responding to North Korean nuclear use scenarios and the submarine base visit to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to extended deterrence.

“The U.S. should bear in mind that if it persists in its hostile and provocative practices against the DPRK despite the latter’s repeated protest and warning, it