Tensions tightened on the Korean peninsula Monday, as North Korea canceled a US envoy’s visit over a jailed Korean American, and Seoul and Washington set dates for military drills denounced by Pyongyang.

Tensions tightened on the Korean peninsula Monday, as North Korea canceled a US envoy's visit over a jailed Korean American, and Seoul and Washington set dates for military drills denounced by Pyongyang.

Frictions with Pyongyang will dominate the agenda when US Secretary of State John Kerry makes a brief visit to Seoul later this week as part of an Asia tour.

The US State Department said it was "deeply disappointed" by the North's decision to rescind -- without explanation -- its invitation to Robert King, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues.

King had hoped to secure the release of Kenneth Bae,45, who was arrested in November 2012 and later sentenced to 15 years' hard labor on charges of seeking to topple the North Korean government.

It is the second time King has been rebuffed. North Korea previously scrapped an invite at the last minute for him to discuss Bae's case at the end of August.

The rescinding of King's invitation came ahead of annual South Korea-US military drills which Pyongyang has urged Seoul to cancel.

The allies' Combined Forces Command (CFC) said Monday that the "Key Resolve" and "Foal Eagle" exercises would run from February 24-April 18.

A combined total of 12,700 US forces will participate in the two drills, the CFC said, adding that North Korea had been informed of the dates and the "non-provocative" nature of the maneuvers.

North Korea, which views the annual drills as rehearsals for invasion, has already warned the South of an "unimaginable holocaust" if they go ahead.