N Korea warns of stronger action over South's drills with US, Japan

SEOUL, Jan 17 (AFP): North Korea condemned on Friday joint military drills between South Korea, Japan and the United States held this week, threatening to respond by exercising its right to self-defence "more intensively".

The trilateral exercise was held after Pyongyang launched in recent weeks what it claimed was a new hypersonic missile system and short-range ballistic missiles, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to office on Monday.

Pyongyang's remarks came after the allies staged joint air drills, involving two US B-1B heavy bombers over the Korean peninsula on Wednesday.

North Korea's foreign ministry expressed "serious concern over the provocations" by South Korea, Japan and the United States, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday. The joint drills "clarifies once again" the North's need to exercise its sovereign rights and security interests "more intensively", it added.

North Korea "will strongly deter any military provocation planned by the hostile forces and firmly defend the security interests of the state", the ministry added.