South Korean and North Krorean flags
South Korean and North Krorean flagsiStock

North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday warned that the US should prepare for a "merciless strike."

Reports by North Korea's Central News Agency quoted the editorial as saying, "The DPRK is the strongest possessor of ICBMs capable of striking the US mainland from anywhere and anytime as it pleases."

"Neither Guam nor Hawaii nor the US mainland can dodge the merciless strike of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army," it blustered.

The editorial also said the yearly US-South Korea military exercise scheduled for Monday adds "fuel to the fire" and is a "most explicit expression of hostility against us."

The newspaper in another article warned that "The Trump group's declaration of the reckless nuclear war exercises against the DPRK ... is a reckless behavior driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war."

South Korea's Ulchi Freedom Guardian military exercise is an annual 10-day event. These drills are intended to prepare the nation for an invasion, and are considered by the US to be purely defensive.

On August 8, North Korea threatened to Guam; three days later the US said Guam is "ready" to attack the rogue nuclear state.

"Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!" US President Donald Trump tweeted on August 11.