North Korea has warned it could take military action against South Korea, rejecting a call by Seoul's Defense Ministry to stop slandering and raising tensions.

A South Korean military official said Thursday the North sent a telephone message to Seoul earlier in the day in the name of North Korea’s chief delegate to inter-Korean general-level talks.

In the message, the North reportedly called the South’s response an “excuse," and threatened military actions.

Experts view that the "military actions" could mean a denial of access to the military demarcation line, or even additional test-launches of short-range missiles.

The Defense Ministry will reportedly decide on its response after consulting with ministries concerned.