Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The provocative Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises kicked off by the south Korean authorities to threaten and invade the DPRK are blatant challenge to peace.

Rodong Sinmun Friday says this in a bylined article.

All war maneuvers staged by south Korea in collusion with the U.S. are criminal acts of harassing peace on the Korean Peninsula, the article notes, and goes on:

War exercises are the main factor of escalating tension. There is no reason for the south Korean authorities to conduct war exercises against the DPRK in league with foreign forces, if they truly want dialogue and peace.

It is a lesson taught by history that the inter-Korean relations can never be improved nor can peace on the peninsula be expected, unless military tension of confrontation is defused.

The reality shows that the U.S. and the south Korean authorities' lip-service for dialogue and peace is no more than a wordplay to deceive and befool the public and a wicked ploy to put into practice their ambition to invade the north.

If the U.S. and the south Korean authorities truly want dialogue and peace, they should stop at once the war exercises against the DPRK.