US calls on N.Korea to halt “provocations”

We have a duty to respond – those were the words from Hillary Clinton today during a visit to Seoul, amid rising tension over the sinking of a South Korean warship.

International investigators last week ruled that a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine sank the South Korean vessel in March, killing 46 sailors.

The US Secretary of State said: “This was an unacceptable provocation by North Korea and the international community has a responsibility and a duty to respond.

“We call on North Korea to halt its provocations, end its policy of threats and belligerence toward its neighbours, and take steps now to fulfil its denuclearisation commitments and comply with international law.”

North Korea says it is cutting all ties with the South, in response to the claims about the sinking. Pyongyang is also threatening to close the last road link across the two countries’ shared border.

As demonstrations against the North are held in Seoul, the government says it will resume the setting up of speakers near the border to broadcast anti-government propaganda. Messages will also be sent across by balloon.

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