Flags of Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are seen fixed on a lamp post on Russky island in the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on April 23, 2019. (STR / AFP)

SEOUL -  The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) intends to strengthen cooperation with Russia to counter the United States, and peace on the Korean peninsula will not be possible until American troops are withdrawn, Pyongyang's ambassador to Russia told TASS news agency.

Ambassador Sin Hong-chol's comments come after senior DPRK's leaders warned this week that the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States would face repercussions for their decision to go ahead with annual joint military drills

Ambassador Sin Hong-chol's comments come after senior DPRK's leaders warned this week that the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States would face repercussions for their decision to go ahead with annual joint military drills.

ALSO READ: DPRK blasts ROK over drills with US, warns of retaliation

The drills are a "rehearsal for war" and prove the United States is responsible for destabilizing the situation, he told TASS in an interview published on Wednesday.

"We will also boost cooperation between North Korea and Russia with the view to counter the US, a common threat," Sin told TASS. The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea.

READ MORE: Yonhap: ROK to hold military exercise with US as planned

Around 28,500 American troops are stationed in the ROK after the 1950-1953 Korean War, which left the peninsula in a technical state of war when fighting ended with an armistice rather than a peace agreement.

Washington and Seoul say the joint drills are defensive in nature.