Australia joins South Korea, US war games

Ten days of annual military exercises between South Korea and the US begin on Monday.

Australian defence personnel are taking part in 10 days of war games with the US and South Korea. (AAP)

Two dozen Australian defence personnel are taking part in 10 days of war games between the US and South Korea.

The annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercise begins on Monday and involves more than 17,000 American troops along with small contingents from Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

The Australians will work in the command and control post.

North Korea has warned the exercise is "reckless behaviour driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war", CNN reports.

2016 US Army soldiers move during the annual U.S. South Korea Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military exercises in Paju, South Korea. Source: AAP

The same exercises in 2016 provoked North Korea to conduct nuclear tests.

Leader Kim Jong Un last week delayed a decision on firing missiles towards Guam.