North Korea Escalates War Rhetoric

[unhappycamper]

North Korea Escalates War Rhetoric
February 19, 2009
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea stepped up its war rhetoric Thursday, saying its troops are "fully ready" for war with South Korea, just hours before a visit to Seoul by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The North's military accused South Korean President Lee Myung-bak of using "nonexistent" nuclear and missile threats as a pretext for an invasion and warned it was prepared for an "all-out confrontation."

The strident statement carried on state-run media comes amid reports that the North is preparing to test-fire a long-range missile and as Clinton heads to Seoul for talks Friday that are expected to focus on North Korea.

Meanwhile, Clinton said that the North's leadership situation is uncertain and the United States is worried the Stalinist country may soon face a succession crisis to replace dictator Kim Jong Il.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to South Korea from Indonesia, Clinton said there is "an increasing amount of pressure because if there is a succession, even if it's a peaceful succession, that creates more uncertainty and it may also encourage behaviors that are even more provocative as a way to consolidate power within the society."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/February-2009/north-korea-escalates-war-rhetoric.html?col=1186032310810