North says: South Korea to pay a "dear price"

By Gina Fazio

New York Times: After the skirmish on Tuesday between North Korea and South Korea between two naval ships harsh words have been exchanged between states with a statement in the government-run North Korean paper saying "We do not want confrontation or tension, but we will never tolerate the aggressors’ brazen violation of our sacred territorial waters....The warmongers who like to play with fire will surely pay a dear price."

On Tuesday, the two ships clashed for two minutes and by the end of the skirmish the North Korean ship was in flames while the South Korean ship had only taken minor damage. This is the most serious naval clash between the two Koreas in seven years. South Korean defense minister, Kim Tae-young fears a retaliation from the North.

However, the United States is still going through with it's plan to have bilateral talks with North Korea. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that those peace and disarmament talks are an "important step that stands on its own."