North Korea's recent attacks on a South Korean warship has tensions between the United States and the rogue state spiking.

The Communist regime has promised a "physical response" to planned weekend naval exercises between South Korea and the U.S.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in the region this week attending an Asian security conference, which N. Korean diplomats also attended.

Clinton lashed out at the North's belligerent acts and demanded they reverse their dangerous policies.

"Here in Asia, an isolated and belligerent North Korea has embarked on a campaign of provocative, dangerous behavior, including its attack on the Republic of Korea naval warship, the Cheonan, earlier this year," Clinton said at Friday's meeting.

"If the U.S. is really interested in the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, it should halt the military exercises and sanctions that destroy the mood for dialogue," North Korean spokesman Ri Tong Il responded later to reporters.

Clinton announced new sanctions over N. Korea's nuclear program while in South Korea July 21. She also criticized the country for human rights abuses.