PYONGYANG, March. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Thursday blasted the annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea, saying the drill will trigger the DPRK to take strong measures of self-defense.

   "The U.S. decision to let carrier Abraham Lincoln and its task flotilla participate in the exercises clearly indicated what reckless and dangerous actions the U.S. moves are ... It is a sort of demonstration of its military muscle before the DPRK," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

    "The U.S. intention to stifle the DPRK has become very clear, the DPRK will react to it with a strong measure of self-defense," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

    The two annual exercises -- Foal Eagle and RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) -- are to be held on March 25-31 in South Korea.

    In response to the drill, the DPRK last Tuesday decided to postpone the 18th Inter-Korea Ministerial Talks previously scheduled between March 28 and March 31.

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

    The DPRK and the U.S. are technically still in a state of conflict as the 1950-53 Korean War ended with a truce, rather than a peace treaty. Enditem