S. Korea Threatens To Cut Off North

Following an infiltration by North Koreans from a stranded submarine, South Korea will strengthen its military and may end all assistance to its northern rival, including food aid, President Kim Young-sam said Tuesday.

Kim’s comments were likely to increase tensions on the divided peninsula. North Korea - which has a 1.1 million-strong military - has sworn “hundredfold and thousandfold retaliation” against the South for shooting the North Korean intruders from the submarine.

South Korea says the submarine was spying on its roads and airfields, but the North insists it strayed across the border after suffering engine trouble during a routine training mission.

South Korea gave 150,000 tons of rice last year to help North Korea, hard hit by flooding in 1995. It has suspended talks on further aid until North Korea agrees to peace talks, but has donated millions of dollars in humanitarian aid through the Red Cross and other groups.