Pyongyang issues warning over nuclear talks with US

North Korea says denuclearisation talks will be at risk if military exercises between the United States and South Korea go ahead.

As part of efforts to kick-start talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons programme, Washington had promised that they wouldn't hold drills with regional allies.

However, a spokesperson for the North Korean foreign ministry say they believe that the exercises, which he described as a "rehearsal for war", will go ahead in August.

The official added that Pyongyang will monitor US actions before making a decision regarding the talks.