North Korea threatens US with preemptive nuclear strike

North Korea has threatened the United States with a preemptive nuclear strike, Reuters reported on Thursday.

North Korea accuses the United States of using military exercises in South Korea as a launch pad for a nuclear war.

"As the United States is about to start a nuclear war, we reserve the right to preemptively launch a nuclear attack on the aggressor's headquarters to protect our interests," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

In February, North Koreaconducted a third nuclear test in violation of UN resolutions, which caused a strong reaction from the world community. Joint military exercises with the United States have begun in South Korea. In response, North Korea began maneuvers with its naval submarine forces and also stated that it could cancel the armistice agreement with its southern neighbor if the exercises did not stop.