PYONGYANG - The recent severe military conflict between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Republic of Korea (ROK) was plotted by the United States, DPRK media said Saturday.

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The DPRK and South Korea exchanged artillery fire on Nov 23 in the waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, killing four South Koreans, including two civilians and injuring more than a dozen others.

The official KCNA news agency said the United States was "the arch criminal who deliberately planned the incident and wire-pulled it behind the scenes," as it announced joint naval exercises with ROK in the waters joined by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington immediately after the incident.

"By orchestrating the case, the US could bring the above-said nuclear carrier to the West Sea of Korea," the KCNA said.

The KCNA also said the "civilian casualties" of ROK were part of a propaganda campaign.

Moreover, the shells fired by ROK dropped in an area close to DPRK civilian houses far from the artillery positions of the Korean People's Army, it said.

The United States has so far obstructed the solution of any issues related to peace and stability by keenly keeping military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the KCNA said.

It warned no one can predict the ensuing consequences after the United States brings the aircraft carrier into the waters for the military exercises from Nov 28 to Dec 1.

The situation on the peninsula has become tense after the military conflict, and some fear new skirmishes may break out during the upcoming drill.