North Korea military denounces US-South Korea drills, state media says

FILE PHOTO: A North Korean soldier stands guard at his guard post inside North Korean territory, in this picture taken from Paju, South Korea, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea said U.S.-South Korea joint military drills proved Washington's intention to "occupy" the Korean peninsula and aim at its enemy countries in the region, state media reported.

"If they continuously persist in the military rehearsal, they will certainly face up the unpleasant situation and pay a dear price," Kim Yong Bok, first vice-chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, was cited by state media KCNA as saying.

The army general did not mention the summit meeting between South Korea President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Chris Reese)