THE United States is carrying out joint live-fire drills with Japan amid growing fears a conflict is about to start over the North Korea crisis.
More than 2,000 US Marines are taking part in the war games on Hokkaido Island in Japan, close to Kim Jong-un's hermit state.
A further 1,500 Japanese troops are involved in the the 18-day exercise, dubbed Northern Viber 17 by military officials.
A spokesman for the Marines said the United States was committed to "supporting the security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region".
US commanding officer James Harp described the drills, which kicked off last Thursday, as "extremely important".
He added: "We have very limited opportunities to come together with our Japanese counterparts in a large scale to conduct this type of training.
"We need to continue training like this to better protect the region from its adversaries."
The military manoeuvres come as tensions between US president Donald Trump and the North Korean regime continue to escalate.
Mr Trump last week vowed to unleash "fire and fury" on Pyongyang if Kim Jong-un does not abandon his nuclear programme.
He renewed his threats days later, saying "military solutions" were "locked and loaded" for use against North Korea.
Following his outspoken remarks, the North Korean military threatened to attack the US territory of Guam.
The tiny Pacific island is home to major US air and naval facilities.
On the weekend, authorities in Guam warned residents how to prepare “for an imminent missile threat".
However, South Korean President Moon Jae-in downplayed the threat of nuclear war during a meeting with senior aides this morning.
He said: "Whatever ups and downs we face, the North Korean nuclear situation must be resolved peacefully.
"I am certain the United States will respond to the current situation calmly and responsibly in a stance that is equal to ours."
However, North Korea reiterated its threats through state news agency KCNA.
The agency warned "war cannot be blocked by any power if sparks fly due to a small, random incident that was unintentional".
In a chilling message to Mr Trump, it added: "Any second Korean War would have no choice but to spread into a nuclear war."
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