Pyongyang urges Seoul to end confrontational 'rackets'

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday accused the Repubic of Korea (ROK) of pushing inter-Korean relations to an "uncontrollable phase of catastrophe," urging Seoul to halt confrontational "rackets."

Pyongyang reiterated its stand that there will be no dialogue between the north and south as long as Seoul continues anti-DPRK confrontational moves, including dropping anti-Pyongyang leaflets and making provocations in the West Sea or near the military demarcation line (MDL) on land, according to a statement issued by the Policy Department of the National Defense Commission.

The DPRK also asked ROK authorities to follow through on the existing inter-Korean agreements and declarations reached by both sides and to stop making remarks that may escalate confrontation on the peninsula.

Meanwhile, the military's front command sent a grave warning to the ROK army against "reckless provocations" close to the MDL.

The Korean People's Army of the DPRK said such provocations "may invite unforeseeable retaliation strikes," which will immediately lead to the outbreak of a war.

On Monday, the ROK military fired warning shots at DPRK soldiers who were coming closer to the MDL, after issuing warning broadcastings, said Seoul's Defense Ministry. But Pyongyang claimed the soldiers were on routine patrol within the area of the north side.

On Oct 19, the two Koreas exchanged fire across the land border in Paju as some 10 DPRK soldiers approached the MDL inside the demilitarized zone.