North Korea has criticized the South Korean military's regular defense drills that include US troops, saying they could risk triggering a war.

The South Korean military began a regular field maneuver exercise on October 17 that is scheduled to end on Friday.

North Korea slammed the exercise in a commentary issued on Thursday on the website of its Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.

It describes the drills as scheming to wage a war of aggression against North Korea. It added that South Korea and the US aim to establish a military posture, while preparing for provocations.

The commentary also says South Korea and the US are creating a flashpoint that could lead to war, and their "reckless and ill-advised actions will only be a source of a disaster that cannot be undone."

North Korea has been repeatedly firing ballistic and other missiles. The North explained that it is sending warnings to Japan, the US and South Korea.

Concerns are also growing that North Korea could conduct its seventh nuclear test.