North Korea has lashed out at the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), which kicked off the day before yesterday (the 17th), warning that it will respond to "evolving threats" with "evolving power."

In a commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang denounced UFS as "the most direct and blatant threat to the security environment of our state and region," claiming that "the situation on the Korean Peninsula is once again facing the 'threshold' of war outbreak."

Pointing out that the exercise involves command post drills simulating contingencies on the Korean Peninsula and more than 10 outdoor field maneuvers, the commentary threatened, "Our exercise of the right to self-defense to thoroughly neutralize the enemies' military threats will be expressed in even more explicit actions."

With U.S. President Trump ordering a scaling back of the joint drills, more than 10 out of the 14 planned outdoor field training exercises are likely to be canceled.

Measures are also being reviewed to cancel Part 2 exercises, including counterattack operations that North Korea has been sensitive to, though North Korea's commentary failed to reflect these circumstances.

"It is necessary to respond to the increasingly evolving threatening actions of our foes with an evolved, new strength," the commentary said, adding, "Foes that violate and threaten our sovereign security will always be within the crosshairs of annihilating retaliatory means."