S Korea warns of 'firm' response after North threatens fresh measures

SEOUL, Oct 20: South Korea's military warned Tuesday of a "firm" response and resolute punishment for any further provocations by North Korea, saying it was "unacceptable" for Pyongyang to blame Seoul for escalating tensions.

North Korea has rejected claims it was behind an explosion that injured three soldiers last month inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the heavily mined buffer area that has divided the two Koreas since their 1953 armistice, and mockingly dismissed calls for an apology.

Pyongyang said Monday the situation along the two countries' shared border was "grave" and that it was considering deploying additional "tactical strike means" to the area.�" AFP