N.Korea talks of "sacred war" on U.S., S.Korea

SEOUL, July 24 (Reuters) - North Korea said on Saturday it would begin a "sacred war" against the United States and South Korea at "any time necessary", based on its nuclear deterrent, in response to the allies' "reckless" military exercises.

The North's powerful National Defence Commission again denied in a statement that the country was behind the sinking of a South Korean warship and said it could be forced to retaliate against the two countries, which begin large-scale military drills on Sunday. (Reporting by Jack Kim; editing by Tim Pearce)