North Korea has threatened to engage in a more powerful physical strike if South Korean activists continue to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the inter-Korean border.
 
In a statement issued on Sunday, the North said if provocations such as the distribution of propaganda leaflets continue, the North’s military and people will respond by engaging in a stronger physical attack.

Through the statement, the North admitted for the first time that it preemptively took a military step in Friday's exchange of fire between the two Koreas. The statement said North Korean military units launched combat efforts to destroy balloons carrying the anti-North leaflets in a bid to block their distribution.

However, the North left open the possibility of holding a second round of high-level contacts with South Korea as previously agreed on. The statement said high-level South-North contacts held in Incheon on October 4 provided a significant opportunity for the two Koreas to improve relations. The statement noted that another round of such contacts are scheduled to be held, stressing that it is important to continue the mood of improving relations between the two Koreas.