North Korea says drills by South Korea, US and Japan show nations have developed ‘Asian Nato’

Pyongyang calls large-scale Freedom Edge' drills involving fighter jets and nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier provocative'

North Korea has criticised a joint military exercise by South Korea, Japan and the US held this month, state media has said, saying such drills show the relationship among the three countries has developed into the Asian version of Nato".

On Thursday, the three countries began large-scale joint military drills called Freedom Edge" involving navy destroyers, fighter jets and the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, aimed at boosting defences against missiles, submarines and air attacks.