The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday criticized the projected South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise scheduled for March 25.

The DPRK cannot but suspect an ulterior aim sought by the United States and the South Korean authorities in talking about "reconciliation and improved relations" and "peace and stability" while planning to stage the large-scale military exercises targeted at "the dialogue partner," the country's official news agency KCNA reported, citing a foreign ministry spokesman.

"Dialogue and saber-rattling cannot go together," said the spokesman.

The United States and South Korea will be "wholly responsible for all the adverse consequences entailed by their provocative military actions," the spokesman added.

U.S. forces stationed in South Korea announced on March 7 that two simultaneous joint military exercises, named "RSOI" and "Foal Eagle," will be held with the South Korean military from March 25 to 31.

About 29,000 U.S. soldiers, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and F-117 invisible fighter bombers will take part in the exercises.

South Korean and U.S. forces have conducted the Foal Eagle exercises since 1964 and the RSOI exercises since 1994. The two have been combined and held together since 2002.

Source: Xinhua