The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Seoul

Pyongyang Sunday accused South Korea of "provocation", claiming its neighbour's navy had intentionally strayed into the North's waters and warning against it happening again.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said South Korea sent 50 navy ships and boats deep into disputed Northern waters last week, with as many as 30 coming in on Thursday alone.

"The (North Korean) Navy will never remain an onlooker to the South Korean naval warships' reckless military provocations as intruding into the inviolable territorial waters of the North side," KCNA said.

"The South Korean military authorities had better stop acting rashly."

The agency labelled the South's naval moves a "sadly mistaken" bid to enforce the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the disputed sea border.

The NLL, drawn unilaterally by US-led UN forces after the 1950-1953 Korean War, has since served as a de facto border. But the North has never recognised it and has demanded a new sea border, a move the South has rejected.

In response to the North's radio calls to withdraw last week, the South's military was quoted by the KCNA saying: "It is our waters. Don't make far-fetched assertions."

The KCNA said: "The South Korean military authorities are sadly mistaken if they think they can 'defend' the illegal Northern Limit Line in such a manner."