North Korea vows all-out, sacred war

Japanese troops work in front of a set Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile at in Tokyo yesterday. Photo: AFP

North Korea intensified threats of an imminent conflict against the United States and the South yesterday, warning foreigners to evacuate South Korea to avoid being dragged into "thermonuclear war".
However, Pyongyang has shown no sign of preparing its 1.2 million-strong army for war, indicating the threat could be aimed partly at bolstering Kim Jong-un, 30, the third in his family to lead the country.
The North, which threatens the United States and its "puppet", South Korea, on a daily basis, is marking anniversaries this week that could be accompanied by strong statements or military displays.
The warning to foreigners in the South, reported by the KCNA news agency, said once war broke out "it will be an all-out war, a merciless, sacred, retaliatory."
"It does not want to see foreigners in South Korea fall victim to the war," the agency quoted the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee as saying.
None of the embassies in Seoul appeared to have issued any directives to their nationals and airlines reported no changes in their schedules.
The warning, read out on North Korea's state television in a bulletin that interrupted normal programming, was the latest threat in weeks of high tension following UN sanctions slapped on Pyongyang for its latest nuclear arms test.
Speculation remained high that the North may launch some provocative action this week - perhaps a missile launch or a nuclear arms test as early as Wednesday.
In response, Japan deployed PAC-3 missile interceptors in Tokyo yesterday. Japan's self-defence forces are under orders to shoot down any incoming North Korean missiles; Tokyo has also deployed two Aegis destroyers equipped with sea-based interceptor missiles in the Sea of Japan.
The two missiles, thought to be the untested Musudan, have a maximum range of 2 485 miles, putting South Korea, Japan and US bases on Guam within reach.
A spokeswoman for South Korea's presidential Blue House dismissed the warning, saying no one felt under threat.