The statement noted that the south Korean authorities have planned to stage Ssangryong joint military exercises, including infiltration drill, live firing drill and large-scale landing operation, in collusion with the United States in the area of Phohang in March.

Prior to it, they announced that they would kick off Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises in February, it said.

The exercises, to be launched under the OPLAN 5027, are the largest-ever in history and evidently war exercises for aggression on the DPRK, it pointed out.

What draws concerns is the fact that the Japanese "Self-Defence Forces" will take part in the exercises under the pretext of strengthening the military alliance, it said, adding that they may increase the military tension in the Korean Peninsula and, furthermore, lead to a nuclear war.

If the south Korean authorities go ahead with the military maneuvers despite the protest at home and abroad, they will face a stronger demand for their resignation, the statement warned, expressing the resolve to vigorously struggle against the joint military exercises.