The Ministry of National Defense has expressed regret over North Korea’s threat earlier in the day that it would attack South Korean boats without warning if they cross its western sea border.
 
The ministry said on Friday that the North is creating unnecessary military tension between the two Koreas with threatening and inaccurate remarks.
 
It then warned the North that it would sternly and strongly deal with a North Korean provocation.
 
An official of the ministry said the North unilaterally drew a line in the west sea in 1999, and has since claimed it as the maritime border between the two Koreas.
 
Seoul, however, argues that the Northern Limit Line (NLL), located further north, is the only legitimate maritime border.  
 
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is looking into why the North made such a warning.