North Korea sends threat -- by fax -- to South Korea

Kim Jong-un, pictured on Chinese television watching his father, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, lying in state in Pyongyang December 20, 2011, issued a threat by fax to South Korea on December 19, 2013 that it would launch an attack against the South for insulting North Korea during anti-Pyongyang protests on the anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death. (File/UPI/Stephen Shaver)  License Photo

Dec. 20 (UPI) -- North Korea's National Defence Commission faxed a threat to South Korea's National Security Council in response to anti-Pyongyang protests in Seoul on the anniversary of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's death.The fax from Pyongyang on Thursday threatened to launch a strike against the South "without notice." The strikes would be launched "mercilessly" if "the provocation against our highest dignity is to be repeated in the downtown of Seoul."

In response to the faxed threat, South Korea told the North that it would "sternly react" to any provocations.

At the anti-Pyongyang rallies in Seoul, some protesters reportedly burned photographs of Kim Jong-un.

Threats from North Korea occur regularly following perceived provocations by South Korea.

Sources: [Yonhap News Agency] [CNN] [The Telegraph]