From the New York Times on Friday:

“We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region — or on us,” Mr. Gates told a major security conference here that has been dominated by North Korea’s test this week of a nuclear device and the firing of at least six short-range missiles, all in defiance of international sanctions. North Korea test-fired a missile on Friday, according to a South Korean defense official.

North Korea, Mr. Gates said, had a choice: “To continue as a destitute, international pariah, or chart a new course.”

The stern message  to North Korea was delivered by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Friday at a major security conference in Singapore.  As President Obama’s emissary, he is conferring with South Korean and Japanese counterparts on addressing an increasingly erratic and belligerent North. 

Tensions on the peninsula have rapidly increased this week after the North exploded its second nuclear test and launched more than six short range missles in defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 1718. 

Even in spite of regular cross border tours continuing between the two nations, as late as Friday according to the Unification Ministry, defense watchers predict a limited but nevertheless deadly exchange of fire  at the disputed Northern Limit Line in the West Sea and possibly along parts of the DMZ.

This Week’s Dramatic Gist:

*Monday:  North Korea tests second nuclear device and fires off short range missles, alarming the world community.

*Tuesday: South Korea counters by joining the US-led Proliferation Security Initative (PSI).  Joining the PSI sets up South Korea and the U.S. with a potential for conflict as the initiative aims to blockade, search, and interdict illicit weapons of mass destruction.

*Wednesday:  North Korea threatens that the terms of the 1953 Armistice formed during the Korean War were no longer in force and that the decision to search North Korean ships was “a declaration of war.”      

*Thursday:  South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) has raises its Watchon Level to Watchcon-2, which increases intelligence gathering and reconnaissance activities such as U2 spyplane overflights, satellite imagery analysis, and overwatch at the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone). 

*Friday:  South Korean naval forces are placed on highest alert in the West Sea, with Chinese fishing vessels already having vacated the area.  (Also reported in NYT)

*Saturday:  CNN reports that the North Korean regime is further preparing to launch a long range missle soon, citing intelligence and satellite imagery of vehicle activity near a ballistic missle site.  

[Associated Press]

While the South Korean and U.S. forces are on highest alert in three years, Robert Gates and other high-level members of the U.S. defense establishment, including President Obama, have played down the rising concerns.  They have cited that there ‘was no unusual movement in North Korea’ (editor: referring to above-ground activities we presume), and as a result, there are no plans to reinforce the 28,000 American forces stationed on the peninsula.

North Korea watchers are still concerned because of the added dimension of instability caused by the yet-to-be succession of the North’s leader. Kim Jong-Il, the current leader who suffered a stroke last year, remains a big question mark for foreign policymakers.

…

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