Presidential office calls NK leader's criticism of S. Korea-US drills 'repetitive response'

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The presidential office said Tuesday North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's criticism of annual joint drills between South Korea and the United States was a "repetitive response," while reiterating the drills are defensive in nature.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung made the remarks, in response to remarks by Kim that denounced the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise as demonstrating "the most hostile and confrontational" stance by South Korea and the U.S. toward North Korea.

"We always maintain the stance that the Ulchi exercise is a defensive drill," Kang told reporters.

Pyongyang has long denounced the allies' joint exercises as a rehearsal for an invasion against it.