North Korea has shown signs of gearing up to conduct a large-scale military drill in the East Sea this month, a senior Seoul official said Sunday, the latest demonstration of military power by the North following its nuclear test.

The latest move comes as Pyongyang has ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Seoul and Washington as the two allies launched their annual joint drills on Friday, amid heightened tension following the North’s third nuclear test on Feb. 12.

“We have detected movement that North Korea’s military is preparing a large-scale military exercise,” a senior military official said, asking for anonymity as he is not authorized to talk about military information. “Nationwide preparations are currently under way to prepare firearms training involving the army, the navy and the air force, which is expected in early March in the East Sea.” (Yonhap News)