North Korea on Saturday warned it will respond mercilessly to all South Korean and U.S. provocations related to its recent artillery and missile firing exercises.

The Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, said in an article picked up in Seoul that its military exercises were legitimate preparations to defend itself from outside aggression.

It said any moves to challenge such rights can only be seen as moves to crush the country.

"Any such provocations will be dealt with in a ruthless and strong manner," the paper said. It did not rule out the use of nuclear weapons as part of its retaliatory action.

The paper then said concerns expressed by Seoul and Washington over another nuclear test are intended to weaken Pyongyang's sovereignty and right to defend itself.

The Rodong Sinmun then made it clear the country advocates a policy to strike back with whatever is used against it, whether the weapon is a missile or a nuclear weapon, and added it would not be strange if policymakers took the measures being mentioned by the country's enemies. (Yonhap)