North Korea warns of "resolute counteraction" to US-South Korea military drills, amidst signs of easing tensions between North and South Korea. Annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises set for August 18-28 aim to contain nuclear-armed North,

North Korea's defense chief on Monday condemned an upcoming large-scale joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea and warned of "negative consequences."

North Korean troops have started removing propaganda loudspeakers used to blare unsettling noises along the border, South Korea's military said Saturday, days after Seoul's new administration dismantled ones on its side of the frontier.