South Korea Prepares Military For Future Aggressions

SEOUL, May 24, 2010 — -- Days after North Korea threatened an all-out-war against South Korea, President Obama ordered the U.S. military to work with South Korea to "ensure readiness" and prepare for future aggressions.

"We endorse President Lee's demand that North Korea immediately apologize and punish those responsible for the attack and, most importantly, stop its belligerent and threatening behavior," the White House said.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said today that North Korea would have to "pay a price" for the torpedo attack on a South Korean navy ship in March that killed 46 young sailors.

But even as the two Koreas exchanged fierce rhetoric, analysts in Seoul said a military response is unlikely.

"It's a repeated cycle in which relations have had its ups and downs in the past 60 years," said Koh Yu-Hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University. "Today, the worst hit the peak, and now the only direction is for each sides to back down and cool off."

Officials in South Korea, the United States and Japan want to bring the issue before the United Nations Security Council and impose stronger and tighter sanctions, at least as a symbolic gesture because the North Korean economy has already hit rock bottom.

But China remains reluctant to join in on the international condemnation. "China has a complicated long-term tie with North Korea, not just politically but ideologically and with legal commitment," said Jin Canrong, associate dean at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, referring to the 1961 China-North Korea Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

Some analysts said China simply does not want a war on its doorstep and millions of refugees pouring in across its border.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made efforts to persuade Chinese officials support condemnation during the two-day annual U.S.-China high level talks in Beijing. She told reporters that they were "in the midst of very intensive consultations" and "the Chinese recognize the gravity of the situation we face."