A pro-Pyongyang newspaper says North Korea's criticism of a joint South Korea-U.S. military exercise is not aimed at Seoul but at hardliners in the South and U.S. forces.

The Choson Sinbo said Thursday that Pyongyang does not want the new South Korean government to worsen inter-Korean relations.

The Japan-based newspaper added that the North's will to implement inter-Korean summit agreements reached last October remains firm, even if it has not stated its position on the new government in Seoul.

The daily also said that North Korea is urging the South to cancel the joint military exercise Key Resolve so that it won't risk damaging inter-Korean relations.

North Korea issued statements Sunday and Monday criticizing the exercises