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Seoul, South Korea (AP) — Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, visited frontline areas where soldiers are strengthening the heavily fortified border with South Korea. She renewed a threat to retaliate against any provocation targeting the fortification work, according to state media. Tensions between North and South Korea have increased since three South Korean soldiers were hurt last month in land mine blasts blamed on North Korean mines.

Kim Yo Jong toured the areas with Pak Jong Chon, a high-ranking official in the North Korean army, calling the fortification a "sacred and great undertaking" supporting her brother's policy of severing ties with South Korea, which he considers his most hostile adversary. She reminded soldiers of her brother's order to make the border "eternally impregnable."

Seoul had previously attributed the mine blasts to North Korean responsibility and urged the North to apologize and clear its mines. Kim Yo Jong also warned of restarting anti-Seoul propaganda broadcasts and deploying more powerful weapons along the border, accusing South Korea of making false claims about border crossing. South Korea's military responded by saying North Korean soldiers crossed the border 50 times this year, prompting a stern warning from the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.