An atmosphere of suspicion persists on both sides of the border North Korea has accused the South of "serious provocation" for moving a marker post on their common border. The claim comes amid a sharp worsening in relations between the two Koreas; rare bilateral talks broke up on Tuesday after just 22 minutes. Seoul has also said it will appeal to the UN to secure the release of a South Korean citizen detained in the North. The man worked for a joint industrial project and was arrested in March for criticising the North's government. 'Premeditated action' North Korea said that the alleged move of a border marker by South Korea was "a deliberate and premeditated action to escalate tension" and a "vicious criminal act". It said the "South Korean warmongers will be held entirely accountable for all the ensuing consequences" if the marker is not returned to its original place. South Korea's defence ministry said it was investigating the claim. Seoul has also decided to seek UN intervention to free a South Korean worker detained since 30 March at the joint Kaesong industrial plant. Some 30,000 North Koreans are employed by South Korean companies at the complex, which is located near the border. Some 30,000 workers are employed in the Kaesong complex Kaesong opened in 2005 as a symbol of reconciliation between two countries, but is often a lightening rod for wider political tensions. North Korea said on Tuesday that it would consider ending "benefits" for the 101 South Korean companies there. It also called for "realistic" wages for the 38,300 North Koreans who work there. South Korean business representatives responded by saying the key to Kaesong's viability was its cheap labour. Rocket row Tensions have been high on the Korean peninsula since the North launched a rocket on 5 April. The UN Security Council criticised the launch, and in response North Korea said it was leaving six-party talks on nuclear disarmament, expelling international monitors and restarting its nuclear facility at Yongbyon. North Korea is particularly angry at the South, after it announced its intention to join a US-led Proliferation Security Initiative, to prevent the sea transit of weapons of mass destruction. The North raised the issue again at Tuesday's meeting, and warned that if the South joined the initiative the move would be seen as a declaration of war. Russia's foreign minister is due to arrive in Pyongyang on Thursday in a bid to reduce tensions.



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