North Korea's military threatened Saturday that it will take "merciless" action against South Korea unless Seoul offers an apology for its alleged move to hurt the dignity of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korea also demanded South Korea publicly execute those who plotted a plan to strike at the North Korean leadership, claiming that it is the last opportunity for Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea's presidential office, to avoid retaliatory fire.
Pyongyang has accused South Korea of staging a drill on Monday of what it claims was a plan to destroy Kim's office with 16 fighter bombers carrying guided air-to-surface missiles.
South Korea has confirmed its Air Force conducted a large-scale air raid drill against a simulated key North Korean facility, though it did not give details.
If South Korea does "not respond to the ultimatum of the KPA, the long-range artillery force of the KPA large combined unit on the front will move over to merciless military action," the North's long-range artillery force said in an English-language ultimatum, referring to the North Korean military's official name.
The ultimatum carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency also warned that the South Korean presidential office and other key sites will "turn into ashes in a moment" if its military simply pushes buttons.
South Korea's military urged North Korea to stop its vulgar rhetoric and warned that the North's provocations will lead to its destruction. The South's military also said it is fully ready to cope with any possible provocations, though North Korea showed no signs of unusual military movements.
President Park Geun-hye has warned North Korea that its provocations will eventually lead to the regime's self-destruction as she called on South Korea to increase vigilance across the country.
The ultimatum is the latest statement of a growing amount of bellicose rhetoric aimed at South Korea amid heightened tensions over ongoing military drills between South Korea and the United States.
The North claims the annual military drills are a rehearsal for a nuclear war against it.
The ultimatum described Kim as "the sun in the sky," claiming that Kim represents the life and destiny of all Koreans and their rosy future.
The North has made other similar threats to destroy South Korea's presidential office in recent years, although no actual attack has occurred. (Yonhap)