North Korea has denounced the 2015 South Korea-U.S. joint live-fire drill as a military provocation, but remains mum on the land mine explosions at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week.
 
The North's Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday that the South Korean puppet government has conspired with a foreign power to seize the opportunity for provocation while frantically practicing for war when the desire for peace, independence and reunification is stronger than ever.
 
The military exercise, which began Wednesday to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation, is the largest of its kind yet. The South Korean military said the drill will show its strong willingness to punish the North for the land mine explosions.