North Koera closes industrial zone

North Korean media reported Monday they are officially closing the shared Kaesong industrial zone that sits along the border with the South.

Before the announcement, more than a dozen South Korean businesses were forced to halt operations due to a lack of raw materials.

Although some have returned home, there are still about 500 South Korean workers who remain in the industrial zone.

As tensions remain high, more firm words from the North's only major ally, China.

Conflicts or wars on the Korean Peninsula are not in the interest of any party, a spokesperson told reporters Monday.

After earlier reports, some comforting news - as South Korea says it does not see a nuclear test by the North as imminent.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Seoul later this week for talks with government officials.

Despite the rhetoric, Pyongyang has not taken any military action and has not shown any sign of preparing its troops for war.