SEOUL, South Korea  The North Korean military on Thursday accused South Korean warships of trespassing near the North’s west coast, a reminder to its neighbors that it can raise tensions even as its government reaches out for talks with the United States and South Korea.

The Defense Ministry in Seoul called the North Korean claim “preposterous.” But the North Korean military made clear its stance.

“The reckless military provocations by warships of the South Korean Navy have created such a serious situation that a naval clash may break out between the two sides in these waters,” the North’s state-run news agency said.

Its warning came three days after the North test-fired five short-range missiles off its east coast.

It also followed a rare conciliatory gesture to the South. On Wednesday, North Korea expressed regret over the deaths of six South Koreans killed when water released from a North Korean dam swept across the border last month.