And Pyongyang warned the US would face an “unimaginable strike at an unimaginable time” if Washington attacked the hermit nation.
Donald Trump’s colossal USS Ronald Reagan has been spotted ploughing through South Korean waters in a show of force in newly emerging pictures of military drills to taunt Kim Jong-un.
American forces have joined with South Korean vessels to patrol seas near the peninsula in a bid to intimidate the North Korean despot intent on pushing the world to the brink of World War 3.
But Pyongyang’s despot has hit back – condemning the US and “the south Korean puppet forces” for trying to stir up tensions in the region.
In an ominous editorial, North Korea’s rogue regime threatened death against anyone who dared to invade or provoke the dictator.
The statement in state-run news agency KCNA said: “The grave situation on the Korean peninsula reaching the unpredictable phase more clearly shows that the US and south Korean puppet warmongers are the chieftains threatening the existence and development of the Korean nation and the root cause of a nuclear war.
“All the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas will, with concerted efforts, mercilessly smash the war frenzy of the US and south Korean puppet warmongers to get rid of the abyss of ruin through dangerous war gambling and inflict the most miserable death on the invaders, provokers increasing the danger of a nuclear war.”
The editorial accused the US of “running amuck” with its joint military drills – adding Washington “should expect that it would face unimaginable strike at an unimaginable time”.
And South Korea will also “not go scot-free” for its role in turning the Korean peninsula into the “worst-ever field of a nuclear war”, according to Pyongyang.
This week several US warships including the USS Ronald Reagan have taken part in exercises in the East Sea.
It is part of a week-long Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise, which will also take place in the Yellow Sea.
Also docked in a South Korean dock is the nuclear-powered submarine the USS Michigan.
The chilling caution comes amid an ever-tightening spiral of threat and counter-threat between the USA and North Korea this year.
US leader Donald Trump has threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea, adding “Rocket Man” Kim Jong-un “won’t be around much longer”.
He has also failed to rule out using military action against the hermit state.
North Korea has given as good in return, claiming the USA has “lit the wick of war” and will pay the ultimate price.