North Korea lashes out at South Korea for leading US maritime exercise

"All these facts point to which forces are truly shaking the foundation of world peace and security and they foreshadow the possibility of unwanted situations occurring on the Korean Peninsula and in the region if not anticipated," it said.

It further criticised a joint Washington-Seoul Marine Corps exercise, stating the joint air drill simulated "deep infiltration into enemy rear areas" from the US Navy's USS Essex.

The criticism comes as North Korea has highlighted its naval modernisation drive.

Earlier this month, KCNA reported that leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch of a strategic cruise missile and tests of weapons systems aboard the new 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon.

(Reporting by Hyeyoon Cho; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)