N. Korea Threatens `All-Out Confrontation`

North Korea yesterday threatened South Korea with an all-out confrontation, criticizing the joint military drill between South Korea and the United States.

“If (South Korea) continues to increase inter-Korean tension by preparing to invade the North, we will sternly deal with it,” the Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang quoted a spokesman for the general staff of the North Korean People`s Army as saying.

In a question and answer session, the spokesman also said Seoul is responsible for the recent national insecurity and social conflict in the South.

The latest threat to the South follows similar comments made Jan. 17 and Feb. 2.

“The South should never forget that (the North Korean People’s Army) is fully ready for an all-out confrontation,” the spokesman said.

kyle@donga.com