North Korea says it will close its border with the South starting in December, accusing Seoul of seeking confrontation.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday that North Korea's military will restrict all overland passage through the military demarcation line starting December first. KCNA said the North has informed South Korea of the decision by telephone.

KCNA said that North Korea is instituting the measure in response actions by the South that have violated North Korean sovereignty, including the continued spread of anti-communist leaflets. Pyongyang has repeatedly asked South Korea to discontinue leaflet distribution.

The report also reminded South Korean authorities that inter-Korean relations are at a crucial crossroads and are close to being completely severed.