North Korea has demanded that Seoul drastically reduce the size of its delegation to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang.

The Unification Ministry on Wednesday said the head of the North's delegation, Jeon Jong-soo, said on the phone for the government to send 30 delegates instead of the original 70.

He blamed new US pressure and recent blasts against Pyongyang over its nuclear program.

He pointed to a new controversy looming large following Washington's deployment of stealth bombers to South Korea.

Pyongyang also faxed to the South's preparation committee for the joint event a demand to reduce the number of civic representatives from 615 to 190.