Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, April 23. AP-Yonhap

The United States continues close consultation with South Korea and Japan to deter evolving North Korean threats, a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday, after Pyongyang said it carried out drills simulating a nuclear counterattack this week.

The North's Korean Central News Agency has reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the tactical drill, involving "super-large" multiple rocket launchers, on Monday.

"We continue to consult closely with our allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, when it comes to regional security and stability issues to include claims by North Korea to that effect," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told a press briefing.

"So, we will continue to work together and closely on those issues as we support each other to deter potential conflict and threats to them," he added.

Pyongyang has been ratcheting up tensions with its menacing weapons tests, including the test-firing early this month of an intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead. (Yonhap)