North Korea has issued a stern warning, promising “resolute counteraction” if upcoming joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea are seen as a provocation.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, scheduled for August 18 to 28, aim to strengthen the allies’ defence against the nuclear-armed North. But Pyongyang has long viewed such exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, a position it has held since the Korean War began in 1950.

“The armed forces of the DPRK will respond… with a thorough and resolute posture at the level of self-defence,” North Korean defence chief No Kwang Chol said via state media on Monday.

The US currently stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea, and both countries insist the drills are purely defensive.

Interestingly, this tension comes just weeks after signs of a possible thaw in inter-Korean relations. In recent months, both sides have dismantled propaganda loudspeakers along the heavily fortified border, and South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung, has urged civic groups to stop sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets via balloon.

President Lee’s softer approach marks a shift from the hardline stance of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, whose term saw relations hit historic lows. Under Lee, Seoul has sought to reduce tensions even as Pyongyang deepens ties with Moscow in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The coming weeks will test whether the drills reignite hostilities or if the two Koreas can keep recent progress towards dialogue from unravelling.