North Korea has strongly criticized joint air drills between South Korea and the U.S., saying that its patience and self-control are reaching its limits. 
 
A spokesman for North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland on Sunday issued the criticism in a statement titled "Ceaseless provocation will be met with ruthless retaliation."
 
According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA), the statement said that nothing is more foolish than attempting to gain something with threats and blackmail after mobilizing fighter jets and nuclear assets for military drills. 
 
The committee called the war game between Seoul and Washington a grave military provocation that will bring the already volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula to a touch-and-go situation leading to a nuclear war.
 
It then referenced North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's statement on September 21st, in which he vowed to consider the strongest possible response to the U.S. and said President Donald Trump will pay dearly for his threats. 
 
South Korea and the U.S. are set to begin massive joint air drills named "Vigilant ACE" on Monday, mobilizing about 230 aircraft.