South Korea's President has vowed a relentless retaliation against North Korea if provoked again, saying he is not afraid of a war with the communist North.
The two Koreas have ramped up their rhetoric since North Korea shelled a front-line island in November, killing four South Koreans. Both sides accuse each other of provoking first.
President Lee Myung-bak said in a regular radio address today that South Korea's military "must respond relentlessly" to any new North Korean attacks.
Mr Lee said, "Fear of war is never helpful in preventing war."