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North Korea has been stepping up pressure on Seoul in recent
weeks, declaring it the "principal enemy", saying the North will
never reunite with the South and vowing to enhance its ability
to deliver a nuclear strike on the U.S. and America's allies in
the Pacific.
Radio Pyongyang, known as a numbers station, in the past
broadcast mysterious coded numbers presumed to be targeted at
Pyongyang's spies operating in South Korea. Its website was also
down on Saturday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, addressing a year-end meeting
of his ruling party, ordered a "decisive policy change" in
relations with the South, instructing the military to be
prepared to pacify and occupy the South in the event of a
crisis.
Early on Saturday, North Korea announced plans to dissolve
organisations in charge of civilian exchanges with South Korea.
State media KCNA reported a decision "to readjust all relevant
organizations... including the North Side Committee for
Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration, the North Headquarters
of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification".
North and South Korea remain technically at war after the
1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and
tensions are running high.
Seoul-based news outlet NK News said on Friday several North
Korean propaganda sites were unaccessible more than 24 hours
after they went offline.
The websites of Uriminzokkiri, DPRK Today, Arirang Meari, Tongil
Voice, Ryomyong and Ryugyong have been down since at least
Thursday morning, it said.
(Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Additional reporting by Josh Smith;
Editing by William Mallard)
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