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North Korea warns South of decisive retaliatory measures over defectors

Saturday, 13 June 2020 4:22 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 13 June 2020 4:23 PM ]

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un

The sister of North Korea's leader has warned of retaliatory measures against South Korea that could involve the military, in the latest escalation of tensions over defectors from the North who have been sending back propaganda and food.

Kim Yo Jong, who serves unofficially as one of Kim Jong-un's top aides, issued the warning in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA on Saturday.

"By exercising my power authorized by the Supreme Leader, our Party and the state, I gave an instruction to the ... department in charge of the affairs with (the) enemy to decisively carry out the next action," Kim said.

Her statement, which did not say what the next action could be, came days after South Korea took legal action against defectors who have been sending material such as rice and anti-North leaflets, usually by balloon over the heavily fortified border or in bottles by sea.

Seoul warns of crackdown on anti-North Korea leaflets after North's fury

South Korea has warned of a "thorough crackdown" against campaigners sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border,

North Korea said it has been angered by the defectors and to mark its displeasure it has in the past week severed inter-Korean hotlines and is threatening to close a liaison office between the two governments.

As part of the effort to improve ties with the North, South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration has sought to discourage the leaflet and rice campaigns, and defectors have complained of pressure to avoid criticism of North Korea.