North Korea—officially, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)—has the right to self-defense in case of violation of its state border by South Korea, or a threat to the lives and safety of its servicepersons. This is stated in a letter from the DPRK permanent representative to the UN to the current president of the Security Council of this world organization, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports.

As the KCNA notes, the letter was a response to Seoul's accusations against Pyongyang in connection with the explosion of a mine near the inter-Korean border on September 21. The DPRK called the incident a staged event aimed at presenting the work on strengthening the southern border North Korea as a military invasion and hindering its implementation.

The letter emphasizes that strengthening the border is a legitimate measure of self-defense aimed at protecting the territory of the DPRK from external threats. At the same time, Pyongyang accused the Seoul of firing on North Korean soldiers participating in border reinforcement work, describing such actions as a violation of the UN Charter.

If, despite North Korea’s warnings, South Korea violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DPRK, then South Korea will bear full responsibility for all the consequences arising from this, the letter adds.