North Korea warns of 'miserable end' to South Korean President Park Geun-hye

North Korea has warned that South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her American ally will face a "miserable end" if they do not tone down their "provocative" actions. In a customary harshly worded letter, filled with sharp rhetoric, the North threatened to soon launch "retaliatory" attacks against the South Korean leader.

"The powerful large-calibre multiple rocket launching systems of invincible Korean People's Army artillery units are highly alerted to scorch Cheong Wa Dae [Park's office and official residence] in a jiffy," said Pyongyang's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) which is tasked with handling affairs with Seoul, according to the dispatch carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"From this moment, the North's army and revolutionary forces will push for a retaliatory war to eliminate the United States and Park's followers in the name of justice," it added. "What the DPRK warns is not hot air. It will be clearly proved by the miserable end the US and the Park group will meet while going reckless."

Though it is not new for the North to make such pompous statements, the latest remarks have come at a time when the Korean peninsula is gripped by tensions. Pyongyang, usually not the one to back down, has also hinted at more rocket launches and nuclear tests in the coming months.

When asked to comment on the North's strong remarks, Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman for South Korea's unification ministry, told reporters during a routine press conference: "We will never condone the North's threats against President Park and our people. North Korea should immediately end its vulgar and despicable acts." He added Seoul would respond "sternly and relentlessly" if the North presses on with its provocations.

The North's threat is likely directed at the US-South Korea joint military drills, Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, which are currently underway.