Tensions on the Korean Peninsula put artillery on fire alert

North Korea has ordered artillery units near the border to be fully prepared to fire artillery after the two sides made strong responses to the "drone issue."

On Sunday, KCNA quoted a spokesman for the North's General Staff as saying the authorities had given instructions on Saturday for troops on the North Korean border to be on firing readiness by 8pm Sunday (7pm Singapore time) to shoot down South Korean drones if they cross the border again.

Authorities stressed that if the South Korean drone was shot down by artillery units, the North Korean military would also be prepared for a possible escalation of armed conflict.

Earlier Sunday, South Korea warned North Korea that its regime would end if it caused any harm to the South Korean people.

The South's warning came in response to a statement by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. Kim Yo-jong said Saturday that a South Korean drone flight over Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, would bring "terrible disaster."

North Korea's foreign Ministry said Friday that South Korean drones carrying anti-North Korean leaflets were spotted over Pyongyang on Oct. 3, 9 and 10.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyon denied the drone flight, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it could not confirm the North's claim.