DPRK warns of chill in inter-Korean relations

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned Wednesday that the atmosphere for improving North-South relations is cooling down because of what it called provocation from the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"If the ROK's authorities have a true willingness to repair inter-Korean ties and have a dialogue, they should refrain from taking provocative moves that harm the recent atmosphere," said a statement issued by the DPRK delegation to the North-South high-level contact.

If North-South relations run out of control, the responsibilities are with the ROK's authorities, the statement said.

On Oct 4, the DPRK agreed to a second round of senior-level inter-Korean dialogue during the sudden visit of three high-ranking DPRK officials to South Korea for the closing ceremony of the Incheon Asian Games.

However, frequent exchange of fire between the two sides over the past two weeks seems to put the high-level talks up in the air.

On Oct 7, naval ships of the two countries exchanged fire near disputed maritime border.

On Oct 10, the DPRK fired machine gun shots at balloons carrying anti-DPRK leaflets floated by a ROK's group. The ROK's soldiers shot back after some of the anti-balloon bullets flew across border.

On Oct 15, military officials from the two sides held a general-level meeting for five hours at the truce village of Panmunjom, but no agreement was made.

On the same day, a ROK official disclosed that Seoul has offered to hold the agreed senior-level dialogue on Oct 30 but failed to get response from Pyongyang.

On Sunday, troops of the two countries exchanged fire again near the border of Paju city in Gyeonggi Province of South Korea.

Pyongyang warned that the high-level contacts are in danger of abortion thanks to "the US backstage manipulation and the ROK's authorities' irresponsible and provocative behavior."