North Korea on Wednesday said South Korea and the United States missed a chance to improve relations and are risking a "serious security crisis" by choosing to escalate tensions as they conduct joint military drills.

Kim Yong Chol, a general and politician who played a leading role during historic summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump, criticized South Korea and the United States for responding to Pyongyang's goodwill with "hostile acts."

The statement comes a day after Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, warned Seoul and Washington over annual joint military drills set to begin this week.