Seoul, Jan 23 (IANS): North Korea on Tuesday criticized the burning of its national flag and photos of its leader Kim Jong-un during a protest rally against its planned participation in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

In an article published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang accused South Korean conservatives of unscrupulously "letting out reckless remarks chilling the hardly-won atmosphere of improved inter-Korean relations".

The article also accused leaders of the far-right Korean Patriots Party of leading these acts that it described as "unforgivable atrocities", Efe news reported.

It also dismissed the accusations that the North agreed to participate in the Games to buy itself time to complete its nuclear programme, disrupt the South Korea-US alliance and find a way out of UN imposed economic sanctions.

South Korea's presidential office on Tuesday also released a statement seeking public support for North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Games and reiterated President Moon Jae-in's position that it will bring about stability and peace on the Korean peninsula.

The statement urged that the North's delegation for the Games, which are scheduled to begin on February 9, be welcomed warmly into the country.

Tension between North and South Korea -- which have technically remained at war for more than 65 years -- have escalated over the last two years owing to repeated weapons tests by North Korea.