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High-level talks between North and South Korea have finally ended after almost three days of harsh negotiations.

Envoys working on behalf of both nations are said to have struck a deal that is hoped will bring an end to rising hostilities.

The deal is thought to include the North expressing "regret" over recent events, while the South will stop broadcasting propaganda across the border.

The talks officially ended at around 4pm UK time today.

Although it has not been officially announced what has been agreed, it is thought the two camps shook hands on plans that would see and end to the threat of war.

(Image: EPA/KIM CHUL-SOO)

News of the talks ending come as angry protesters today used hatchets to hack away at an effigy of Kim Jong Un at a protest close to the North Korean border.

More than 200 South Koreans took part in the rally, holding anti-North placards and chanting 'Kim Yong Un out'.

A statue resembling the North Korean leader was brought out in front of the crowds and a man slashed at it with an axe.

Others tore at the North Korean flag to the cheers of the protesters.

The anti-North Korea rally took place at the Unification Bridge in Paju, which leads to the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea.

(Image: Reuters)

Not far away in Panmunjom - on the border - senior politicians from both countries were deep in talks as negotiations are underway to defuse tensions.

South Korean president Park Geun-hye demanded earlier today that North Korea apologise over recent landmine blasts.

She said she would refuse to silence propaganda loudspeakers in North Korea until Pyongyang accepted responsiblity.

At the protest in Paju, campaign leader Park Chan-sung reiterated that the North needed to apologise.

(Image: Reuters)

He said: "Our people and the international society cannot accept North Korea's offer of compromise through talks without making any apology, punishing persons in charge and promising not to repeat its provocation."

Negotiations between North and South Korea began on Saturday evening, shortly after North Korea's deadline passed for Seoul to halt anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts or face military action.

They broke up before dawn on Sunday and restarted that afternoon.

The United Nations, the United States and the North's lone major ally, China, have all called for calm.