PYONGYANG, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday denounced the United States and South Korea for pushing the situation to the point of "explosion" through provocations, the official KCNA news agency reported.

The statement came at a time when South Korea and the United States are carrying out their largest-ever annual military drills, which Pyongyang said amount to "an provocation to the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and an open declaration of a war against it."

The statement, issued by the DPRK government, political parties and organizations, threatened of a deadly preemptive attack on U.S. and South Korean forces.

"Once there is a slight sign of the start of their foolish special operation, the Korean People's Army will promptly launch the battle for preemptive attack without hesitation," it said.

On March 7, South Korea and the United States kicked off joint military exercises codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, which will run through April 30. The drills are reported to be largest-ever and mobilize the most advanced weapons.

The exercise involves the new OPLAN 5015 for the first time. The OPLAN 5015, which was formally approved by Seoul and Washington in June last year, allegedly encompasses scenarios for pre-emptive precision strikes against the DPRK's nuclear and missile facilities in a contingency with Pyongyang.