North Korea claims nuclear conflict is "feasible."

(RT) ⸻ North Korea has warned of a "realistic" threat of nuclear conflict following the latest round of American and South Korean military exercises, and predicted a "catastrophic escalation" in the region. The North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday denouncing recent joint air drills between Washington and Seoul, which involved at least one US nuclear-capable B-52 bomber. Similar joint combat exercises were also launched last Friday, including a US B-1B strategic bomber, while yet another drill will be held next week to simulate the US and South Korean response to a missile attack by the DPRK. Beginning on March 13, the two allies will carry out the largest drills in the region in five years, which will continue for 11 days. The ministry warned that the large-scale US-South Korea joint military exercise that will begin in a few days is of an "aggressive nature" and is likely to lead to an "aggressive escalation that will result from it." While negotiations under former US President Donald Trump resulted in a 'freeze for freeze' arrangement which saw a pause on joint drills with South Korea in exchange for a halt in Pyongyang's weapons tests, that deal has since collapsed, with tensions spiking since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The missile tests have persisted into 2023, with North Korea continuing to fire off projectiles into the sea amid ongoing drills by Washington and Seoul.