Seoul: North Korea on Monday criticized the United States for what it described as a "hostile" policy, pledging to counter with the "toughest" measures.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea's reaction followed the U.S. Department of State's reaffirmation of its commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of Pyongyang. Despite this, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year.

In a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson from North Korea's foreign ministry accused the U.S. of continuing its "hostile" actions under the guise of denuclearization and human rights advocacy. The spokesperson stated that expecting any relaxation of tensions in the region is pointless, given the U.S.'s evolving policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

This statement comes in the wake of an announcement by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to proceed with the trilateral military exercise Freedom Edge. This decision follows the scaling back of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with Seoul earlier this month, as directed by President Trump. The North Korean official reiterated the country's longstanding view that such drills are rehearsals for war and labeled the upcoming exercise as part of "anti-DPRK military provocations."

The Trump administration's actions, according to the spokesperson, confirm its unwavering hostile policy, which allegedly violates the DPRK's sovereignty, political system, and security interests through denuclearization efforts, human rights campaigns, and military threats. The spokesperson further claimed that the U.S. military stance has exacerbated tensions on the Korean Peninsula and increased regional instability.

North Korea maintains that its nuclear arsenal is essential for defending its sovereignty, asserting that its nuclear weapons are crucial for ensuring regional peace and security. The statement also rejected any possibility that U.S. pressure could alter its nuclear policy, emphasizing that adhering to past strategies is ineffective in addressing current and future realities.

North Korea's policy toward the U.S. remains unchanged, with the spokesperson declaring that the DPRK will continue to respond to the U.S.'s consistent hostile policy with its toughest stance until the end.