North Korea has accepted a proposal by South Korea for ministers from both sides to meet at the 'truce village' of Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Saturday at 5 a.m ET.
As a countdown to a threat of force by North Korea ticked down Saturday, residents in areas close to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates it from South Korea, were being asked to evacuate to shelters CNN reports..
Kim Jong Un's regime had outlined Friday to its southern neighbor to stop the "provocations" and "psychological warfare" or pay the price.
"If South Korea does not respond to our ultimatum," North Korean U.N. Ambassador An Myong Hun told reporters, "our military counteraction will be inevitable and that counteraction will be very strong."
South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo had accused North Korea of pushing the tensions "to the utmost level."
South Korea had fired a barrage of artillery rounds into North Korea on Thursday after the North shelled across the border to protest against anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts
"North Korea's offensive action is a despicable crime that breaks a ceasefire agreement and the non-aggression treaty between North and South," Han said Friday in an address broadcast on South Korean television.
"If North Korea continues on provoking, our military -- as we have already warned -- will respond sternly, and end the evil provocations of North Korea," he said, adding the country is working closely with the United States.
The two sides have however agreed to meet in Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Add your comments here.