Story highlights State Department says "These exercises are a clear demonstration of the U.S. commitment to the alliance"

N. Korea threatens U.S. with attack if military exercises are conducted as planned

The annual 'Ulchi Freedom Guardian' training exercises begin Monday

(CNN) North Korea threatened to "retaliate against the U.S. with tremendous muscle" if it didn't cancel multinational military exercises scheduled to begin Monday.

South Korea conducts the yearly exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, with the United States and other allies "to enhance ... readiness, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula," according to a statement from the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.

Just as the event itself is annual, so too are the condemnations and threats of retaliation from the reclusive North Korean regime.

"The further Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercises are intensified, the strongest military counteraction the (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) will take to cope with them," a spokesman for North Korea's National Defense Commission (NDC) said Saturday.

A State Department official told CNN on Saturday it was aware of the threats. The exercises are transparent, defense-minded and are designed to increase the readiness of South Korea and the region, the State Department official said.

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