South Korea urges North Korea to stop provocative threats

South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae on Friday urged North Korea to stop its provocative threats against Seoul and called for cooperation to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap News Agency reported. "North Korea should take the attitude to resolve inter-Korean issues in a step by step manner through dialogue," Ryoo was quoted as saying in a forum at the National Assembly. "In that case, we will play an active role" in easing the dire economic situation in North Korea. His comments came a day after North Korea has threatened to strike South Korea in anger over a recent Seoul rally condemning North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his reign of terror. The North's powerful National Defense Commission warned of ruthless retaliation against the South "without any notice," accusing South Korea of insulting its highest dignity, referring to Kim. The latest threat came after several conservative groups and North Korean defectors on Tuesday held rallies in Seoul to protest against North Korea's authoritarian rule and human rights abuse, with some burning Kim Jong-un's photo The North has executed Kim's once-powerful uncle Jang Song-thaek accused of treason last week, a shocking purge that drew widespread condemnation and sparked concerns for possible instability. "South Korea is bracing for all possibilities, noting the bloody purge has heightened uncertainty in the isolated country," Ryoo said. The South Korean capital city of Seoul has more than 10 million people and is within range of North Korea's conventional artillery, positioned along the heavily fortified border.