Tensions Rise on Korean Peninsula

This article from the New York times discusses the rising tensions between North and South Korea in the wake of the many new developments that occurred on Saturday. South Korea has begun to strengthen it's military force along the demilitarized border it shares with North Korea along with the waters surrounding it country. This increase in force comes after North Korea threatened naval engagement and stated an "all-out confrontational posture" towards the South. These statements were made after reports came out in international news that North Korea has enough plutonium weponized for use in at least 4 nuclear bombs, North Korea maintains that it has only continued in it's pursuit of nuclear weapons because of the threat it feel from the United States and other nuclear armed states. It has not been proven the North Korea has built a nuclear device other than their precived test of a nuclear bomb in 2006. Tensions among the two Korean countries have worsened since the election of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Myung-bak has taken a firmer and more agressive approach when dealing with the North. The way the threat was delivered also spoke to the seriousness of the situation as the statements were broadcast several times over the national television and radio network in North Korea. These statements and development come at an interesting time as President elect Barack Obama is about to take office and the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is still very much in question. Only time will tell the true aim and motives of North Korea in these bold moves.