The Democratic People's Republic of Korea says it will effectively close the land border with South Korea.

It will also expel South Koreans inside its border from the start of next month.

The South Korean government has expressed "serious regret" over the decision.

The DPRK announced early on Monday its decision to restrict inter-Korean programs.

Kim Ho-Nyeon, Spokesman of South Korean Foreign Ministry, said, "The North-South overland passages and economic cooperation have a very important meaning to improve the North-South relations."

The measures include suspending an inter-Korean tourist project in its border city of Kaesong, shutting border-crossings for economic cooperation and halting the cross-border rail service.

The army will also "selectively" expel South Koreans from a joint industrial zone in Kaesong.

In response, South Korea called on the DPRK to stop the move.

Kim Ho-Nyeon, Spokesman of South Korean Foreign Ministry, said, "The North-South overland passages and economic cooperation have a very important meaning to improve the North-South relations. So it would be a very serious matter if the DPRK restricts and suspends these things, a serious and practical setback for the relations between the two Koreas."

The South Korean government has convened an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures. It also called on Pyongyang to hold dialogue on the issue.

Inter-Korean ties have frayed badly since South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in February. The DPRK has repeatedly criticized Lee's hardline policy towards Pyongyang.

(CCTV November 25, 2008)