North Korea condemned on Saturday recent joint military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan, warning that it would take immediate actions if needed to defend the state. Last week, the three countries held a three-day joint exercise,

Pyongyang has long coveted an advanced air-defense system to guard against missiles and war planes from the United States and South Korea.

The U.S., South Korea and others say North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.