North Korea has demanded an apology from South Korea after a high-ranking Seoul defense official said the South will strike the North's nuclear sites if Pyongyang launches a nuclear attack.

The Defense Ministry in Seoul said Sunday that Pyongyang wants a retraction and apology from the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kim Tae-young, who made the comment Wednesday.

The North has threatened to ban all inter-Korean contacts and projects if its demand is not met.

The ministry said it will decide within two or three days on whether to reply to the demand, which was sent to Seoul's chief delegate to talks between South and North Korean generals.

A ministry official said emergency meetings with chief security officials Saturday decided to closely analyze Pyongyang's intention through consultations with other ministries.

Another military official in Seoul said that if the ministry replies, it will deny Kim’s comments or express regret over the North’s allegation.