Participating U.S. forces included the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence and a maritime patrol aircraft, according to South Korean naval officials. South Korea contributed roughly 10 aircraft and 10 warships, including the destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I.

The head of the policy office at the North's defense ministry released a statement, carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), claiming that “the security guarantee of the U.S. mainland” depends on giving up “military threats and aggressive attempts” against other nations.

The top military officers of South Korea and the US vowed to further strengthen the allies' trilateral security cooperation with Japan during their first video talks earlier this week, the

North Korea is in its "strongest strategic position in decades," the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said in a new assessment.

Plan to relocate 4,500 troops raises concerns about US commitment to Asia and threatens to undermine deterrence against China and North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for ‘all units in the entire military’ to bring about ‘a breakthrough in war preparation’, state media said.

North Korea’s newest warship was severely damaged during a launch ceremony Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the accident, saying it brought shame to the nation’s prestige and vowing to punish those found responsible,