South Korea hardens stance as the North rejects talks, to deploy troops

A soldier stands guard at a checkpoint on the Grand Unification Bridge which leads to the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea, just south of the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, South Korea, on June 17, 2020. - Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Wednesday (June 17) that North Korea's criticism of the South's President Moon Jae-in was senseless and that it will no longer accept unreasonable behaviour by Pyongyang.

Blue House spokesman Yoon Do-han said criticism of Moon by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, was a very rude and senseless act that fundamentally damaged the trust built by the two leaders.