North Korea released a statement threatening the U.S. on Wednesday, further escalating conflict amid broken-down peace talks.
North Korea warned that if the U.S. goes ahead with joint aerial exercises with South Korea next month, it will retaliate, saying "we no longer feel the need to exercise any more patience." The country said the U.S. needs to consider what "influence" North Korea's actions will have on the "future of the U.S."
Last month, the North tested a new rocket system for the third time since August. State media reported that the test-fire verified the system's ability to "totally destroy" a target.
The U.S. and North Korea met in early October to restart negotiations over the North's nuclear program. The countries gave conflicting accounts of the meeting, with the U.S. denying North Korea's accusation of carrying an "old viewpoint and attitude." North Korea said it has no plans to meet again unless the U.S. prepares a better offer by the end of the year.
