North Korea denies South access to industrial zone

(Vatican Radio) North Korea began refusing access to South Koreans who run factories inside its border, the first such freeze in four years, The Kaesong industrial zone houses more than 100 companies and is an important source of revenue for North Korea. However, in recent days Pyongyang has declared it is now in a state of war with South Korea and the United States, and has even threatened to start a nuclear war. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington would stand firm.
"The United States of States will defend and protect ourselves and our treaty ally, the Republic of Korea," Kerry said.
The United Nations secretary general has urged North Korea to tone down its threats.
"I am afraid that others may respond firmly to any direct military provocation," said Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon called the developments of recent days "troubling," adding that there is no need for North Korea to be on a collision course with other nations. Pyongyang began threatening all-out war after it launched a long-range missile and detonated a nuclear test, and the U.N. Security Council responded with sanctions. North Korea has also condemned military exercises underway right now between the U.S. and South Korea.
Listen to the report by correspondent Alastair Wanklyn: