A leading newspaper of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday accused the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises of "extremely accelerating the tension" and "significantly raising the risk of war."

In its editorial, Rodong Sinmun said the South Korean authorities made up triangle military ally with the United States and Japan and insisted on its old policy of confrontation ignoring the DPRK's good will and magnanimity of opening a new phase of independent unification through dialogue and negotiation.

South Korea pushed the situation to a state of extreme confrontation by constant military exercises, said the editorial.

The whole nation should make efforts to stop and smash the plot of exercises and fight for the peace of the Korean Peninsula, said the editorial.

Commentaries carried by Rodong Sinmun said the joint military exercises seriously threatened the safety of the DPRK and peace and stability of northeastern Asia, which showed the South Korean and U.S. real intention of military threat, pressure and war.

What the Korean nation needs now is not confrontation and war but peace and compromise, said the commentaries, adding that the South Korean authorities should realize the serious situation on the peninsula and make gingerly choice.

The DPRK has made all preparations to smash the warmongers' plot of aggression and defend the nation's peace and safety, the commentaries said.

The S. Korea-U.S. joint military exercises named "Key Resolution" and "Condor" started on Monday and will last till March 10.

On Sunday, the Korean People's Army of the DPRK issued a statement, saying it would take resolute military measures to respond to the exercises.