Article Posted on : - Dec 23, 2010

A file photo.

WASHINGTON (AFP): The White House on Wednesday warned North Korea that there was no reason for it to respond to South Korea's military drills as they were "defensive" in nature and well publicised in advance.

South Korea was meanwhile preparing a major show of military strength with a live-fire exercise involving fighter aircraft and tanks near the tense North Korean border in an apparent attempt to deter another strike by Pyongyang.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs argued that the maneuvers had been announced well in advance and were transparent and defensive and "should in no way engender a response from the North Koreans."