The ongoing joint naval drill of the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) is a fresh provocation to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, a leading newspaper of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Monday.

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The four-day exercises, launched on Sunday in the waters west of the peninsula, are a "criminal move" that may bring the situation in the region to "an explosion," the Rodong Sinmun warned in a commentary.

Although the DPRK and the international community hope to ease up the tensions on the Korean Peninsula and keep peace there, the United States and the ROK rudely challenged the wish and tried to ignite the war by pouring oil on the flames, it said.

The DPRK, which won't be frightened by the naval drill involving a U.S. aircraft carrier, has made all preparations to deal with all kinds of provocation, the commentary said. The DPRK wishes peace, but never fears war, it added.

Tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula after the DPRK and the ROK exchanged artillery fire on Nov. 23, leaving four South Koreans dead and more than a dozen others injured.