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| Alert level raised on North Korea | Alert level raised on North Korea |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| South Korean and US troops have gone on higher alert after North Korea said it was scrapping the treaty that halted the Korean War more than 50 years ago. | South Korean and US troops have gone on higher alert after North Korea said it was scrapping the treaty that halted the Korean War more than 50 years ago. |
| Seoul's defence ministry said it would increase reconnaissance operations over North Korea. | Seoul's defence ministry said it would increase reconnaissance operations over North Korea. |
| North Korea recently tested a nuclear device and several short-range missiles but no significant troop movements within the country have been reported. | North Korea recently tested a nuclear device and several short-range missiles but no significant troop movements within the country have been reported. |
| The UN Security Council is discussing a response to North Korea's nuclear test. | The UN Security Council is discussing a response to North Korea's nuclear test. |
| See comparison of North and South's military power | |
| "Watchcon II took effect as of 0715 [2215 GMT]," said South Korean defence ministry spokesman Won Tae-Jae, adding that the five-stage combat alert level was at its second-highest level. | "Watchcon II took effect as of 0715 [2215 GMT]," said South Korean defence ministry spokesman Won Tae-Jae, adding that the five-stage combat alert level was at its second-highest level. |
| "Surveillance over the North will be stepped up, with more aircraft and personnel mobilised," he said. | |
| The US is to bolster its intelligence support. | The US is to bolster its intelligence support. |
| Factfile: Underground testing The Korean war N Korea's missile programme | Factfile: Underground testing The Korean war N Korea's missile programme |
| The UN Command said the armistice - which has preserved a tense peace for more than five decades on the Korean peninsula - remained in force. | The UN Command said the armistice - which has preserved a tense peace for more than five decades on the Korean peninsula - remained in force. |
| The UN Command is a multi-national military force headed by the US which fought for the South in the 1950-53 Korean war, and still stations 28,500 troops in the South. | The UN Command is a multi-national military force headed by the US which fought for the South in the 1950-53 Korean war, and still stations 28,500 troops in the South. |
| Pyongyang has blamed its decision on South Korea's decision to join a US-led initiative to search ships for nuclear weapons, calling it a "declaration of war". | Pyongyang has blamed its decision on South Korea's decision to join a US-led initiative to search ships for nuclear weapons, calling it a "declaration of war". |
| "Any hostile act against our peaceful vessels, including search and seizure, will be considered an unpardonable infringement on our sovereignty," said a spokesman for the North's army. | "Any hostile act against our peaceful vessels, including search and seizure, will be considered an unpardonable infringement on our sovereignty," said a spokesman for the North's army. |
| "We will immediately respond with a powerful military strike." | "We will immediately respond with a powerful military strike." |
| Punitive measures | Punitive measures |
| This latest crisis comes just days after North Korea carried out an underground nuclear test, followed by the launch of several short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan. | This latest crisis comes just days after North Korea carried out an underground nuclear test, followed by the launch of several short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan. |
| ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test Q&A: North Korea nuclear test What is N Korea's game plan? | ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test Q&A: North Korea nuclear test What is N Korea's game plan? |
| No other significant troop movements within the country have been reported, but analysts have warned of a further increase in military tension, including the possibility of a naval clash along the sea border between the two Koreas. | No other significant troop movements within the country have been reported, but analysts have warned of a further increase in military tension, including the possibility of a naval clash along the sea border between the two Koreas. |
| The UN Security Council's five permanent members - plus Japan and South Korea - are working on a strong resolution condemning North Korea's actions, including possible punitive measures. | The UN Security Council's five permanent members - plus Japan and South Korea - are working on a strong resolution condemning North Korea's actions, including possible punitive measures. |
| Washington has reaffirmed US commitments to its allies Japan and South Korea while accusing Pyongyang of "sabre-rattling and bluster and threats". | Washington has reaffirmed US commitments to its allies Japan and South Korea while accusing Pyongyang of "sabre-rattling and bluster and threats". |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the North's violation of Security Council resolutions, but also held out hope that North Korea would return to six-nation disarmament talks. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the North's violation of Security Council resolutions, but also held out hope that North Korea would return to six-nation disarmament talks. |
| Moscow said that while world powers should be firm, they should not inflame tensions, adding that the stand-off could only be solved through talks. | Moscow said that while world powers should be firm, they should not inflame tensions, adding that the stand-off could only be solved through talks. |
| Heightened tensions | Heightened tensions |
| Last month North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japanese airspace, angering the international community. | Last month North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japanese airspace, angering the international community. |
| FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service |
| Pyongyang said the rocket had carried a peaceful communications satellite, but several nations viewed it as cover for a missile test. | Pyongyang said the rocket had carried a peaceful communications satellite, but several nations viewed it as cover for a missile test. |
| The UN Security Council condemned the launch and, in retaliation, North Korea announced it was quitting long-running six-nation negotiations on its nuclear disarmament. | The UN Security Council condemned the launch and, in retaliation, North Korea announced it was quitting long-running six-nation negotiations on its nuclear disarmament. |
| It ejected all international monitors and said it would reopen its main nuclear plant at Yongbyon, which was closed in July 2007 as part of a disarmament deal. | It ejected all international monitors and said it would reopen its main nuclear plant at Yongbyon, which was closed in July 2007 as part of a disarmament deal. |
| When North Korea agreed in February 2007 to abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions, there was real hope of reaching a settlement. | When North Korea agreed in February 2007 to abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions, there was real hope of reaching a settlement. |
| But the negotiations stalled as it accused its negotiating partners - the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia - of failing to meet agreed obligations. | But the negotiations stalled as it accused its negotiating partners - the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia - of failing to meet agreed obligations. |
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