ISTANBUL

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's influential sister on Tuesday warned the US and South Korea of "terrible consequences" following the two countries launched their annual military drills.

Kim Yo Jong, in a statement, said that large-scale military exercises by the US and South Korea could further destabilize the Korean Peninsula, vowing that North Korea would strengthen its deterrence capabilities in response, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"The muscle-flexing of the hostile forces near the areas of our state's sovereignty and security may cause unimaginably terrible consequences," she said, adding: "The enemies should never try to test our patience, will and capability."

Her reaction comes after the US and South Korea on Monday launched a major annual joint springtime military exercise, Freedom Shield, with the number of planned field training drills cut sharply compared with last year.

This year in the 11-day drill, some 18,000 troops are expected to participate, as the allies plan to conduct 22 field training drills during this year's exercise compared with 51 on-field drills staged last year under the government of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Kim said North Korea would counter what it views as strategic threats by strengthening its “overwhelming deterrent power,” emphasizing that the country’s security and sovereignty remain “inviolable.”

Pyongyang has long denounced South Korea and the US combined military exercises as "rehearsals for invasion."