PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s official news agency on Friday condemned the US-Republic of Korea military drills and arms buildup, calling Washington "the chieftain threatening the peace and stability and destroying the strategic security balance."

Recently, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) staged an anti-special operation naval drill in the waters near Phyongthaek, Kyonggi Province of ROK under the pretext of countering "infiltration" by mobilizing a guided missile destroyer, anti-submarine helicopters, sea-patrol planes and other naval and air forces, said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in a commentary.

Washington has additionally deployed F-16 fighters to the Osan Air Base in Kyonggi Province to intensify the joint operational capability, which is aimed at deterring the DPRK and regional countries, it added.

The DPRK will "further devote itself to defending its national sovereignty and interests and protecting the regional peace and stability through the exercise of its essential rights as the US continues to renew its record in the demonstration of its military strength threatening the regional countries," said the commentary.