NK says it's poised to strike back against S. Korea-U.S. joint drills

North Korea's military warned Tuesday that it would mercilessly avenge any breach of its territorial sovereignty by South Korea or the United States during their ongoing anti-submarine drills near the Yellow Sea border.

The Southwestern Front Command of the North Korea's armed forces said it has directed its troops to immediately strike back in case even a single bombshell is dropped into the North's territory from the exercise, which began on Sunday, according to Pyongyang's official news agency, KCNA.

If South Korea or the U.S. respond "recklessly" to the North's possible military move, its rocket forces near the western border of the peninsula will promptly take action, the command was quoted as saying.

Shortly after the end of large-scale joint military trainings called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, the allies kicked off the anti-submarine warfare drills, including live-fire exercises.

They involve a nuclear-powered, Los Angeles-class submarine, Aegis destroyers and P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft. The exercises are scheduled to last through Friday.