North Korea warned the United States and South Korea that they will pay a “high price” for holding their annual spring military drills. The Defence Ministry in Pyongyang described the 11-day Freedom Shield exercises, which began on Monday, as a threat that would be met with the appropriate response. He did not say what counter-measures would be taken, however. For its part, South Korea’s Defence Ministry warned the North’s isolated regime against undertaking “direct provocations.” According to South Korea, defence against nuclear threats from North Korea will be a core element of the readiness…