The U.S. military said March 3 it will push ahead with plans to hold joint exercises with South Korea starting March 9 despite North Korea's warning that it would consider the drills preparation for an attack.

The North demanded during rare talks with the U.N. Command on March 2 that the United States and South Korea call off the annual military exercise, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. North Korean officials warned that the drill would "further stir up" tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the report said, citing an unnamed South Korean official.

The drills, which end March 20 and span sites across South Korea, come amid concerns North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile capable of striking U.S. territory.

The North has said it would launch a communications satellite into orbit. But neighboring governments believe the satellite claim may be a cover for a missile launch and have warned the regime such a move would invite international sanctions. Analysts say satellites and missiles use similar delivery systems.