North Korea Warns The U.S. That They Will Launch A Pre-Emptive Strike 'If Necessary'

North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong (R) arrives with North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations So Se Pyong for his address to the Conference on Disarmament at the U.N. in Geneva March 3, 2015. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Reuters: North Korea warns U.S. about pre-emptive strike 'if necessary'

(Reuters) - North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong said on Tuesday that his country had the power to deter an "ever-increasing nuclear threat" by the United States with a pre-emptive strike if necessary.

His rare speech at the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament drew a rebuke from U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood, who urged Pyongyang to stop making threats and rid itself of nuclear weapons.

Ri said joint military exercises currently being staged by South Korea and the United States were "unprecedentedly provocative in nature and have an especially high possibility of sparking off a war."

WNU Editor: Just a small reminder on how dangerous North Korea is.

More News On North Korean Warnings To The U.S. That They Will Launch A Pre-Emptive Strike 'If Necessary'

N. Korea: Joint Drills Could Spark War -- VOA
North Korean envoy: Regime can launch preemptive strikes -- UPI
North Korea says it could make "pre-emptive strike" on US -- Deutsche Welle
North Korea Warns Can Conduct 'Strike' on US, Denies Rights Violations -- Defense News/AFP
Kim Jong Un reportedly tells North Korean army to 'prepare for war' with US -- FOX News