Seoul - The ratcheting up of tensions between North and South Korea has forced Pyongyang to turn to China to provide massive rice aid for its hungry people, a news report said Friday.

Pyongyang will no longer ask for rice and fertilizer aid from South Korea according to a report by South Korea's daily Hankyoreh newspaper, citing diplomatic sources.

Beijing has not answered North Korea's request, the report said. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of the request.

The report came a day after North Korea threatened "military actions", to halt all talks with Seoul and to close the inter-Korean border to South Korean officials.

On Wednesday, Seoul called on Pyongyang to halt its hostile rhetoric and actions after the North called President Lee Myung Bak a "traitor" and accused him of "sycophancy towards the United States."

Relations between South Korea, which has Asia's second-largest economy, and its impoverished totalitarian neighbour have become tense since President Lee's government took office in Seoul in February.

The conservative Lee, who took office after two previous liberal administrations that carried out a rapprochement policy with Pyongyang, has linked progress by North Korea on its denuclearization with an expansion of its economic ties with South Korea, angering Pyongyang.

North Korea is dependent on outside aid to help feed its 23 million residents. South Korea has been a vital aid donor, annually shipping 300,000 to 500,000 tons of rice and fertilizer in recent years.

Seoul and aid groups have warned that North Korea faces severe food shortages across the country.

South Korea intends to send this year's shipment if Pyongyang makes a request, reported Yonhgap news agency. (dpa)