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Spat between two Koreas escalates Pyongyang halts South Korea talks
(about 3 hours later)
North Korea has reportedly threatened "countermeasures" against South Korea, in a growing row between the nations. North Korea says it will suspend all dialogue with South Korea and has threatened to close the border, amid rising tensions on the peninsula.
The apparent threat came from the North Korean military in response to a request from Seoul to stop raising tensions, Yonhap news agency said. The latest threats come after days of sabre-rattling - the North test-firing missiles and Seoul warning it would respond to any attacks.
Separately, South Korea's leader called Pyongyang's attitude "not desirable". South Korea's leader Lee Myung-bak has accused the North of fuelling tensions.
Since taking office, President Lee Myung-bak has pledged to link bilateral aid to progress on nuclear disarmament and human rights, angering Pyongyang. Since taking office, Mr Lee has angered Pyongyang by linking aid to progress on denuclearisation and human rights.
In recent days North Korea has expelled South Korean managers from a joint industrial base, test-fired short-range missiles and attacked Mr Lee in state media. In recent days North Korea has expelled South Korean managers from a joint industrial base, test-fired short-range missiles and criticised Mr Lee in state media.
The communist nation is also seeking an apology from the South after a top military official there said Seoul could target the North's suspected nuclear sites if an attack looked imminent. The communist nation is also seeking an apology from the South after General Kim Tae-young said Seoul could target the North's suspected nuclear sites if an attack looked imminent.
'Shenanigans''Shenanigans'
On Wednesday, South Korea's Defence Ministry sent a statement to North Korea asking it to stop "slander" and activities that would disrupt the stability of the Korean peninsula.On Wednesday, South Korea's Defence Ministry sent a statement to North Korea asking it to stop "slander" and activities that would disrupt the stability of the Korean peninsula.
Yonhap news agency says that in response, a North Korean general sent a statement threatening unspecified "military countermeasures".Yonhap news agency says that in response, a North Korean general sent a statement threatening unspecified "military countermeasures".
He also dismissed South Korea's statement as "shenanigans", the agency said.He also dismissed South Korea's statement as "shenanigans", the agency said.
Meanwhile, in a speech on Thursday, the South Korean president defended his general's remarks.Meanwhile, in a speech on Thursday, the South Korean president defended his general's remarks.
"The comments by Chairman Kim (Tae-young) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were a natural and ordinary reply to lawmakers' questions," he said."The comments by Chairman Kim (Tae-young) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were a natural and ordinary reply to lawmakers' questions," he said.
"It shouldn't be interpreted differently. So North Korea's attitude is not desirable.""It shouldn't be interpreted differently. So North Korea's attitude is not desirable."
He called for "substantial dialogue" between the two countries.He called for "substantial dialogue" between the two countries.
The chill between the Koreas comes with talks on implementing the six-party nuclear disarmament deal stalled. In response, Pyongyang has threatened to close the border and cut off all dialogue.
The chill between the Koreas comes as talks on implementing the six-party nuclear disarmament deal appear to have stalled.
North Korea agreed last year to abandon its nuclear programme in return for aid.North Korea agreed last year to abandon its nuclear programme in return for aid.
But it then missed a deadline to fully disclose all of its activities and progress on the deal has come to a halt.But it then missed a deadline to fully disclose all of its activities and progress on the deal has come to a halt.