The treat was delivered soon after United States President Donald Trump said at a UN speech that he would "totally destroy" North Korea in defense of the USA or its allies.
"The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally", Ri reportedly said.
"North Korea has always translated its threats into deeds", said the official.
Ja Song-nam said last week's exercise was the largest "waged with general mobilisation of the nuclear strategic assets" after Mr Trump last month "made the most ferocious declaration of war in history by claiming to 'totally destroy"' North Korea. Defense Secretary James Mattis had said weeks earlier that North Korea risked "total annihilation" if it continued to defy the world and threaten allies.
That statement likely ratcheted up tensions between the two countries as both exchanged fiery rhetoric and the United Nations slapped additional sanctions on North Korea. When North Korea it carried out its sixth nuclear test, it claimed to have detonated a hydrogen bomb that could fit atop a ballistic missile. In September, Pyongyang flew a ballistic missile over Japan.
Ri also implied there were no diplomatic channels between the United States and North Korea, CNN reported.
It was not an idle warning, according to senior diplomat Ri Yong Pill, who told CNN the possibility was meant to be taken "literally".
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"The US is talking about a military option and even practicing military moves".
Ri's remarks come after Trump on Sunday boasted that the USA was "prepared for anything" when it came to the North Korea nuclear crisis.
Moreover, Kim Jong-un earlier this month praised the country's nuclear weapons as a means of "safeguarding peace" on the Korean Peninsula amid U.S. pressure.
"We'll see what happens". The answer is yes.
Trump next week will make a visit to Asia during which he will highlight his campaign to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programs.
CNN's Angela Dewan wrote from London.
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