A Republic of Korea (ROK) security guard stands guard on an empty road which leads to the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) at the ROK's CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) in Paju, South Korea, February 11, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has decided to shut down a jointly-run factory park with Republic of Korea (ROK), following Seoul's decision to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday.

The DPRK said it will deport all of ROK residents staying at the inter-Korean industrial zone in the DPRK's border city of Kaesong by 5:30 p.m. local time, declaring the factory park as a military-controled area.

Pyongyang will cut off military communication lines with Seoul, and close off inter-Korean communication channels at the border village of Panmunjom, Yonhap reported, citing a statement from the DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.