N. Korea: U.S. bringing 'heavy weapons' to border

By the CNN Wire Staff

June 28, 2010 7:36 a.m. EDT

This undated picture, released from Korean Central News Agency on June 19, 2010 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (C) inspecting the Rakwon Machine Complex in North Pyongan province.

(CNN) -- North Korean officials are criticizing the U.S. for bringing heavy weapons into a border village in the demilitarized zone that divides the Korean peninsula, state media reported Monday.

State-run KCNA claims U.S. forces brought weapons into the Panmunjom area Saturday morning. A U.S. military spokesperson did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

"The introduction of heavy weapons to the area around the conference hall where armed forces of both sides stand in acute confrontation is a premeditated provocation aimed to spark off a serious military conflict," the agency said.

North Korean military officials have said they will "take strong military countermeasures" if the weapons are not removed, according to KCNA.

Tensions have been running high on the Korean peninsula since the sinking in March of a South Korean warship.

Video: Koreas make ship-sinking case to U.N.

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South Korea blames North Korea for the sinking, which left 46 people dead, but Pyongyang denies the claim.

Last week G8 leaders condemned North Korea's communist government for its alleged role in the sinking of the ship.

"Such an incident is a challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond," the G8 final communique said.

"We demand that the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea refrain from committing any attacks or threatening hostilities against the Republic of Korea," the statement said.