The Democratic People's Republicof Korea (DPRK) on Thursday condemned the South Korean authorities for closing or blocking Internet connections with the DPRK, saying that it contravened the spirit of national reconciliation and reunification.

"It's a crime against the nation as it is designed to blindfold those South Koreans who wish to know well about the north with it and stop their ears," said the DPRK's major newspaper Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary.

The South Korean media reported early in November that the authorities closed or blocked 31 pro-DPRK websites, claiming that "those sites were engaged in instigating splittism".

The commentary said that those closed or blocked websites only disseminated the idea of national independence accepted by all Koreans and dealt with matters related to reconciliation, unity and independent reunification. "Therefore, they posed no problems," it added.

"The action taken by the South Korean authorities clearly proved that they haven't yet gotten rid of the conception of confrontation for no reasons. It indicated that the claims of 'south-north reconciliation and cooperation' much touted by South Korea is nothing but sheer hypocrisy," said the commentary.

The commentary said that the inter-Korean relations will not beable to escape a total collapse if the South Korean authorities donot stop their acts against the nation and reunification.

"The authorities are well advised to do soul-searching before talking about the 'opening' of the north and immediately stop cutting off the above-said Internet site connections," it warned.

Source: Xinhua