South's disrespect to Kim enrages N Korea

North Korea yesterday lashed out at South Korea for a perceived lack of respect towards Kim Jong-Il, as it reported more scenes of mass grieving in the isolated communist state for the late leader.
Saying the whole world is in mourning for "a peerlessly great man", the North for the second time in three days blasted the South over its response to Kim's sudden death on December 17.
There would be "unpredictable catastrophic consequences" for cross-border relations unless Seoul eases restrictions on condolence visits by South Koreans to Pyongyang, it said.
The South blames its neighbour for two deadly border incidents last year, but has taken a generally conciliatory stance since last Monday's shock announcement that Kim had died of a heart attack two days earlier at age 69.
"The South Korean authorities should bear in mind that their obstructions will entail unpredictable catastrophic consequences to the north-south relations," a spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, a state body overseeing cross-border relations, told the official news agency.
The Seoul authorities' "unethical acts bereft of elementary etiquette and compatriotism have touched off unanimous outrage and wrath among Koreans and all other people of the world", the spokesman said.
Despite the tough rhetoric, analysts generally do not expect shows of military force as the new regime headed by Kim's son Jong-Un settles in.
The transition was high on the agenda when Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao at the start of his first visit to China as premier.