Anchor: North Korea has officially refused to hold the much-anticipated second round of high-level inter-Korean talks. In a statement, the North blamed the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets by South Korean activists. Seoul doesn't appear to have any plans to change its stance on the civic group’s campaign.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
 
Report: North Korea said it will not engage in any form of inter-Korean dialogue until South Korean human rights activists stop sending anti-North Korea leaflets across the border.
 
The North made the announcement Saturday in a statement issued by the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. It threatened to persecute those who carried out the leaflet campaign.
 
[Sound bite: Korean Central Television (broadcasted on Nov. 1/Korean)]
“It must be known that any inter-Korean talks and improvements in inter-Korean ties cannot take place if the distribution of leaflets harming the highest dignity is not suspended.”
“Those who are on our death list as persecution targets must be prepared to become forlorn wandering spirits at the time and location that we decide.”
 
The threat is a step up from its previous insistence that it will strike the location of where the leaflets are released as well as the authorities behind the campaign.
 
The North made it clear that the decision is by its dear leader, calling the statement a mandated one. 
 
The North also claimed that President Park Geun-hye is the ringleader behind the distribution of the propaganda leaflets, mentioning the president by her name.
 
North Korea experts say that with the latest statement, the North has officially given its refusal to hold a second round of high-level inter-Korean talks. Initially, such talks were expected to take place by early this month following the three high-ranking North Korean officials' visit to the South in October.
 
Following the North’s statement, Unification Ministry Spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol held an unscheduled news briefing and refuted the North’s words.
 
[Sound bite: Lim Byeong-cheol – Spokesman, Unification Ministry (Korean)]
“The government warns that it will sternly respond to any act that harms our people’s safety.”
 
In a rare direct criticism on Kim Jong-un, the South Korean official added that the North should consider how its irrational behavior of only caring about its highest dignity will be regarded by the international community. 
 
Seoul said whether or not another round of high-level inter-Korean talks will take place depends entirely on Pyongyang's behavior. The ministry said it does not plan to take any other particular action on the North’s latest statement.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.