North Korea , Issues Warning Amid , Joint US Military Drills.br On November 1, North Korea's Foreign br Ministry criticized the United States for joint br military exercises with South Korea. .br The ministry warned that North Korea br would respond to the exercises with , "more powerful follow-up measures.".br The Associated Press reports that the warning br comes as the U.S. and South Korea conduct br aerial drills involving over 200 warplanes.br The Associated Press reports that the warning br comes as the U.S. and South Korea conduct br aerial drills involving over 200 warplanes.br Pyongyang has called the drillsbr a rehearsal for a potential br invasion of North Korea.br The exercises come after North Korea br has ramped up its weapons testing, launching br over 40 ballistic missiles in 2022 alone. .br AP reports that these tests include the development br of intercontinental ballistic missiles and intermediate-br range missiles which were fired over Japan.br AP reports that these tests include the development br of intercontinental ballistic missiles and intermediate-br range missiles which were fired over Japan.br According to South Korean officials, br North Korea is expected to detonate its first br nuclear test device since September 2017.br According to Pyongyang,br the missile tests are meantbr as a warning to the West.br An unidentified spokesperson from the North Korean Foreign Ministry said the joint drills expose the U.S. as the , "chief culprit in destroying peace and security.".br According to the spokesperson, the North br remains ready to take "all necessary measures"br to defend itself from outside military threats.br If the U.S.