North Korea on Thursday strongly condemned naval manoeuvers that the US is presently carrying out with South Korea on the peninsula, and threatened to launch an "unimaginable strike" against them.

Pyongyang's Emergency Measure Committee for Opposing Nuclear War Drills criticised Washington's mobilisation of nuclear strategic assets in a statement issued by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reports Efe news.

The Pentagon has deployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and two destroyers, among other ships, for the naval manoeuvers, which will last until Oct. 20.

"The US is running amuck by introducing under our nose the targets we have set as primary ones. The US should expect that it would face an unimaginable strike at an unimaginable time," the statement read.

The North Korean committee also said that Washington has also deployed the nuclear submarine USS Michigan, although this has not been officially confirmed.

"This proves that the US and South Korean puppet authorities are attempting to ignite a war on the Korean peninsula at any cost while watching for an opportunity after making its 'pre-emptive attack'," against North Korea, it added.

The drills between the naval forces of the US and South Korea come amid escalated tensions in the region and shortly after Pyongyang conducted its latest weapons tests including a nuclear test on September 3 and the launch of a missile that flew over Japan on September 15.