The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned South Korea would be responsible for any incidents on the Korean Peninsula, the official news agency KCNA said Saturday.

It quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that Lee Myung-bak had escalated tensions and insulted the DPRK's supreme dignity by labeling the country's celebrations for the centenary birthday of late leader Kim Il Sung a waste of money.

The DPRK Foreign Ministry said, if anything happened on the peninsula, the responsibility would entirely rest with Lee, adding any country intending to interfere in DPRK's internal affairs would face "strikes" by an angry DPRK army and people.

A large-scale rally denouncing Lee's government was held here Friday at Kim Il Sung Square. Similar demonstrations followed in provinces and cities nationwide.