North Korea has refused to accept South Korea's message stating Seoul's intention to sternly deal with the regime's military provocations.

A Unification Ministry official said Friday that the ministry tried to send the message signed by Minister Hong Yong-pyo earlier in the day at around 10:40 a.m., after receiving a letter from the North's Workers' Party secretary, Kim Yang-gon. North Korea, however, refused to accept it. 

In the message, South Korea made it clear that its propaganda broadcasting is a justified response against North Korea's land mine explosion attack, and that it will sternly deal with the North's provocations and threats.

The message also said that if North Korea has the willingness to resolve the situation, it should demonstrate a sincere and responsible attitude. Seoul called on the North to admit to and apologize for the recent series of provocations, punish those responsible and devise preventive measures.